Burla: TP Western Odisha Distribution Limited (TPWODL) Thursday launched its ‘Solar Rath’ in Sambalpur to promote awareness and adoption of rooftop solar under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. The Solar Rath was flagged off by former Union Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan on the occasion of Lord Vishwakarma Jayanti.
Siddheshwar Baliram Bondar, Sambalpur Collector, Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo, Superintendent of Police, Sambalpur, Rehan Khatri, Commissioner, Sambalpur Municipal Corporation, Parveen Kumar Verma, CEO, TPWODL, Nauri Nayak, former MLA, Rengali, Ramchandra Meher, BJP Sambalpur President, and Simanchala Khatei, BJP Sambalpur Vice President were present on the occasion.
TPWODL has crossed 61,000 rooftop solar installations across its nine-district operational footprint in Western Odisha. Nuapada leads the region with 10,489 installations.
Speaking on the occasion, Dharmendra Pradhan said, “The Solar Rath will bring information on the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana closer to people and encourage greater participation at the grassroots level.”
Siddheshwar Baliram Bondar said, “The Solar Rath will take information on rooftop solar directly into communities, helping consumers understand the support and process available to them. Such outreach can encourage wider adoption of sustainable energy solutions.”
The Solar Rath will travel across TPWODL’s operational geography, visiting villages, marketplaces and other prominent public locations to provide information on the PM Surya Ghar scheme, eligibility, subsidies, application procedures and rooftop solar solutions.
A key feature of the campaign is ‘Solar Sanga’ (Solar Buddy), who will accompany the Rath and engage with consumers to explain the schemes and guide them on rooftop solar adoption. TPWODL’s ‘Solar Didis’ — women SHG members and grassroots solar champions — will further strengthen the campaign through door-to-door awareness and community engagement.
TPWODL CEO Parveen Kumar Verma said, “With the Solar Rath, Solar Sanga and Solar Didis, we are taking information and guidance directly to communities and helping consumers make informed choices about rooftop solar.”
