Govt identifying remote villages to provide solar electrification: Conrad
Shillong, Mar 29: Solar power has transformed lives in many remote parts of India that had no access to electricity or cooking gas.
All these years, the over 50 households in Naronggre under Dalu C&RD block in West Garo Hills had been dependent on firewood for daily cooking and they had no electricity yet.
However, the village is now going to witness a revolution after installation of solar electrification and introduction of India’s first solar-powered electrical pressure cookers (EPCs) as part of a pilot project initiated by chief minister Conrad K Sangma and implemented by Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE).
The chief minister, who inaugurated the project in the village on Friday, announced that the government was identifying remote villages across the state for implementation of the project that provides solar electrification and EPCs.
Narrating the plight of villagers before the project, the chief minister said, “Women had to walk 2-3 kilometres each day to collect firewood. This practice not only accelerates deforestation but also exposes families to hazardous indoor air pollution. Beyond firewood, many households rely on kerosene.”
This project has brought in smiles in the village, and the intervention will ensure zero use of firewood for cooking, he said.
The chief minister informed that GHE has been working in the state, particularly in remote Garo Hills for the past six years, and has covered over 20,000 beneficiaries connected through solar lights, solar powered computer labs across various schools, including introduction of clean cooking solutions.
Last year, GHE also started a solar light manufacturing unit in Tura, which was inaugurated by the chief minister.
“We are supporting GHE for the implementation of the project, as they have a proven track record of serving the society. They have mobilised funds from CSR, which is doubled with equal matching funds from the state for execution of the project,” he added.
Meanwhile, the chief minister explained the challenges in meeting the project’s objective to transition local communities from traditional cooking methods towards more sustainable options.
“Convincing communities to switch from their centuries-old cooking traditions to modern methods is not always easy, but through concerted efforts, GHE has been able to convince communities, wherever they have gone,” he said.
The inaugural function was also attended by Salmanpara MLA Ian Botham Sangma and Dalu MLA Brenning Sangma.
Of the total around 50 households, 26 have been covered under the project, and the chief minister has assured that all the households in the village will be covered under the project.
