Government exploring ways to fast-track rural electrification

New Delhi: The government is exploring ways to fast-track rural electrification in Odisha, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand and Assam, which are home to most un-electrified villages. The matter came up for discussion at a recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an official source said. [caption id=“attachment_2709730” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image[/caption] “During the meeting, the Prime Minister was apprised of the status of village electrification. The Power Ministry said… the states like Odisha, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand and Assam were the states with most un-electrified villages,” the source added. The ministry will continue to monitor power supply to the villages for 3-4 years, post electrification. Prime Minister Modi had earlier spoken about the process of rural electrification doing “exceedingly well”. “During 2015-16, 7,012 villages have been electrified till date (March 28). Out of remaining 11,440 villages, 7,843 villages are to be electrified through grid, 3,148 are to be electrified through off-grid where grid solutions are out of reach due to geographical barriers and 449 villages are to be electrified by state governments,” the ministry had said in a press release. A total of 1,654 villages were electrified during April-August 2015 and 5,358 have been added to this list during August 15 last year to March 27 this year. The progress is also being monitored through Gram Vidyut Abhiyanta (GVA). The Centre has set a target of electrifying 18,452 un-electrified villages by May 1, 2018.