Chhattisgarh govt to install solar energy driven water pumps in 1722 hamlets

Solar energy would not only power lamps but would also ensure drinking water in the Maoist-infested pockets in Chhattisgarh.

The state government had selected 1722 hamlets where water pumps operated by the solar energy would be installed to provide pure drinking water to the people. The hamlets are across the 10 districts of the state; mostly in the red zone.

A high level meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary, Sunil Kumar on Tuesday approved the proposal for the installing solar energy water pumps. This would in fact be a New Year gift for the people in the insurgency hit areas of the state.

According to officials of the Public Health Engineering (PHE), many government schemes to supply pure drinking water in the red zone had place to take off following threats from the Left guerrillas. The ground water in the area is also reported to be polluted and it has been a challenge for the authorities to provide safe water in the region.

Though the authorities did not spell as to how the solar energy plan would take off, officials said the system would be safe from the insurgent. The rebels could not inflict damage to the solar system like other schemes that had support of pipeline to supply water.

Frequently, rebels target the pipeline that disrupts supply in the entire region.

The use of solar energy had power the authorities to take on Maoists in at least two fronts—supply electricity in the remote areas and now safe drinking water to the people. Earlier, the state government had decided to power the un-electrified villages in the Maoists zone with solar energy.

The Chief Secretary had instructed the officials and department concerned to start the work on the project at the earliest.