Odisha Gets Its First Fully Solar-Powered Villages in Cuttack

Cuttack: In a major boost to renewable energy adoption and environmental sustainability, two villages in Cuttack district—Olab and Kandakela Devabhumi—have become the first fully solar-powered settlements in Odisha.

Located in the Narasinghpur block, the villages were officially inaugurated on Thursday under the Centre’s PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The inauguration ceremony was led by Baramba MLA Bijaya Kumar Dalabehera in the presence of Cuttack Collector Dattatreya Bhausaheb Shinde, Athagarh Sub-Collector Prahllad Narayan Sharma, and senior officials of TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL).

The project, implemented by TPCODL, involved the installation of rooftop solar panels in around 80 households, including 51 homes in Olab and 29 in Kandakela Devabhumi. Remarkably, the entire installation was completed within 25 days.

With the initiative, the villages have achieved complete independence from conventional grid electricity, ensuring uninterrupted power supply through clean and renewable solar energy. The project primarily targeted below poverty line (BPL) families, aiming to promote equitable access to reliable electricity while reducing household energy expenses.

The funding followed a collaborative model, with the Central Government providing a subsidy of ₹30,000 per system, the state government contributing around ₹25,000, and the remaining beneficiary share being covered by the district administration through the District Mineral Fund (DMF).

A senior official said the initiative would significantly improve living standards by enhancing lighting, education, healthcare access, and livelihood opportunities, while also increasing awareness about renewable energy solutions.

The PM Surya Ghar Yojana seeks to accelerate rooftop solar adoption across the country by enabling households to access free or subsidised electricity, marking a key step towards India’s clean energy transition.