A total of 446 villages out of 1,080 have been electrified in Chhattisgarh as on July 10, 2016, the Central Government has informed.
A total 15 villages are under energization and 67 villages are in the process of being electrified.
A total of 138 villages have been electrified across the country during last week between July 4 to 10 2016 under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojna (DDUGJY), the Government informed.
Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh government has targetted to spend Rs 5,036 crore for augmenting rural electrification and energy distribution system, officials informed.
Notably, the power supply distribution augmentation system project would be funded by Central government grant, equity contribution from State and loan from financial institutions.
The State-owned Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company ltd (CSPDCl) which is implementing the project has sought additional funding support from the Central government for achieving 100 per cent electrification of villages in Bastar region by FY 2018.
The special scheme would require additional finding support of Rs 665 crores of additional investment from the work carried out under Deendayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana , officials informed.
Notably, Chief Minister Raman Singh last month had reviewed works of Energy Department and issued directives to complete construction of 34 key power sub-stations in various districts of the State including tribal stronghold Bastar and Surguja divisions within 18 months.
The construction cost of these 34 power sub-stations is estimated to be Rs. 2100 crore.
Chief Minister said in the meeting that keeping in view the demands and requests for electricity supply received from villagers during state-wide lok Suraaj Abhiyan, these power substations should be constructed within the time-limit on priority basis, so that quality electricity supply could be ensured in far-off rural regions.
In the meeting officials informed that two power sub stations of 400/220KV will be constructed in Jagdalpur and Dhamtari, eight power substations of 220/132 KV will be constructed in Rajim, Borjhara (Gariaband), Parsada, Kawardha, Dharsiva, Narayanpur, Jagdalpur and Bilaspur. likewise, 24 power substations of 132/33 KV will be constructed in Koni, Ravanbhata, Batauli, Kondatarai, Sukma, Charama, lormi, Dabra, Bakhara, Vandanapuling, Shivrinarayan, Wadrafnagar, Kansabel, Bijapur, Pakhanjur, Nagri, Indagaon, Mohla, Rajpur, Dornapal, Takhatpur, Basna, Berla, and Renki (Korba).
In the meeting, it was informed that the electrification of villages not covered under 2685 hamlets are being electrified under Deendayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana at a cost of nearly Rs 1250 crore and the villages are being electrified using solar energy.
It was also informed in the meeting that till March 2015, the State had 1080 villages without electricity, out of which 402 villagers were electrified in year 2015-16.
In year 2016-17, target of electrification of 678 villages has been set. Against which, electrification of 80 villages has been done and that of remaining is in progress.