Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards clean energy adoption and sustainable rural development, Olab and Kandakela Devabhumi villages in Cuttack district have been inaugurated as Odisha’s first fully solar-powered villages under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
Implemented by TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL), the project involved the installation of rooftop solar power systems in around 80 households, enabling the villages to meet their entire electricity requirement through solar energy and become independent of conventional grid power.
The initiative has been primarily targeted at below poverty line (BPL) families, ensuring access to reliable, affordable and clean electricity. Funding for the project was arranged through a convergent model, combining central and state government subsidies along with support from the District Mineral Fund (DMF).
Officials said the project not only reduces electricity costs for households but also contributes to lowering carbon emissions and promoting energy self-reliance at the grassroots level. The model is expected to serve as a template for scaling up similar solar village projects across other districts of the state.
The inauguration of Olab and Kandakela Devabhumi as solar-powered villages marks an important milestone in Odisha’s transition towards renewable energy and inclusive development.
-OdishaAge
