Chandigarh, Aug 12 (PTI) The Punjab government is set to illuminate every village with 3 lakh new LED-based solar streetlights at a cost of Rs 470 crore, New and Renewable Energy Sources minister Aman Arora said on Wednesday.
The state government is equipping gram panchayats with clean energy lighting to enhance safety, connectivity and sustainability in rural areas, he said.
Arora said the AAP government will contribute 70 per cent of the project cost, while gram panchayats will bear the remaining 30 per cent.
This is a big shift from the earlier 30:70 ratio that put an excessive financial burden on village bodies. The decision was taken considering the limited financial resources at the panchayat level and to ensure equal opportunity for all panchayats to participate in the programme, he said.
The initiative, Arora said, reflects the state government’s intent to enhance safety, improve rural infrastructure and promote clean energy in gram panchayats. With 62.51 per cent of Punjab’s population, around 173.20 lakh people are residing in rural areas.
Dark streets raise risks of accidents and crime while limiting post-sunset economic and social activity. The project will also help villages near major economic hubs extend working hours, giving a boost to the state’s rural economy, he said.
The Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) will serve as the nodal agency for implementation.
It will oversee the installation of new solar streetlights as well as the comprehensive repair and renewal of existing systems. Based on feedback from panchayats, the maintenance support period has been extended from five years to seven years to ensure long-term functionality, Arora added. PTI CHS NB NB
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