Odisha sets Target to provide Electricity to all Villages by 2019

Bhubaneswar, June 8 (IANS): The Odisha government has set a target to provide quality and reliable power supply to all villages and hamlets by 2019.

At an annual review meeting of the power sector, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday directed strengthening the infrastructure for power generation, distribution and transmission to realise the target.

The government has ensured electricity supply to 43,753 villages so far, out of 47,677 villages in the state. Similarly, it has provided electricity to 54,061 hamlets, out of 82,014, said an energy department official.

The state government said it has provided electricity connectivity to 92 percent villages and 66 percent hamlets, and about 58 lakh consumers were availing power supply in the state.

The government has targeted to increase the consumer base to 96 lakh by 2019, said a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office.