A total of 18,960 out of 19,567 villages have been electrified in Chhattisgarh so far, the Central Government has informed.
A total of 607 villages remain to be electrified in the State, official informed.
The Chhattisgarh Government has targetted to spend ` 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 ` 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 state including tribal stronghold Bastar and Surguja divisions within 18 months.
The construction cost of these 34 power sub-stations is estimated to be ` 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 substation 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 being electrified under Deendayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana at the cost of nearly ` 1250 crore and the villages being electrified using solar energy, is in progress.
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.
The Government has also targetted to electrify all the 19,000 villages in the State with solar power during the next two years.
Notably, Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA) has invested ` 400 crores during last 11 years in developing infrastructure for solar power generation which had resulted in 40 MW of electricity being generated from non conventional energy sources.