Rural electrification works makes headway; 96% Rural Electrification Completed In Odisha
Rural electrification works in Odisha has made headway by extending its outreach to around 96% of the villages. This has been discussed in a high level review meeting held under the Chairmanship of Chief secretary Sri Aditya Prasad Padhi in secretariat conference hall today wherein Principal Secretary Energy Sri Rajesh Kumar Verma along with CMD GRIDCO Sri Hemant Kumar Sharma presented the updates and outlined the issues for discussion.
Reviewing the progress made so far, Chief Secretary Sri Padhi directed to complete the programmed works within stipulated time. Sri Padhi also directed to cover the villages and hamlets on saturation mode. The issues relating to forest and wild life clearances were discussed and resolved in the meeting. It may be pertinent here to mention that State Govt has targeted to complete the works by October-November, 2016.
Universal access to electricity has been targeted to be accomplished by March, 2017. Available data show out of 47,677 villages as per census, 2011 around 45,236 villages constituting around 96% have got power connectivity by 30 th June. Out of the balance 2441 villages 541 have been identified as uninhabited villages. Detail action plan has been prepared to cover rest of the villages. To have expeditious implementation the works has been allocated to the agencies like PGCIL, OPTCL, OREDA and NTPC.
In the meanwhile preparatory steps like detail survey, preparation of the projects, bidding etc have been expedited. OREDA has targeted to complete electrification of 275 villages by November, 2016. Out of this 198 villages would be connected through micro-grid and 76 would be covered through stand alone solar projects. Around 12000 household would be benefited through this scheme. Similarly, PGCIL, NTPC and OPTCL have expedited their works to electrify 662,667 and 341 villages and hamlets. Principal Secretary Forest & Environment Sri Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Secretary science & Technology Sri Venu Gopal , CEO,CESU Sri S.K Popil, CEO, OREDA Smt Roopa Mishra, along with other senior officers from respective departments participated in deliberations.