THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

CHHATRAPUR, FEBRUARY 14, 2026

From once shadowed evenings to brightly lit streets, Aryapalli today stands as a glowing example of inclusive and sustainable development. The Odisha Disaster Recovery Project (ODRP) Colony at Aryapalli Panchayat, a peripheral village of Adani Gopalpur Port, is witnessing a visible transformation following the installation of solar streetlights by the Adani Foundation.

Developed as a rehabilitation site to resettle families affected by cyclones, the ODRP Colony houses nearly 800 households with a population of around 3,000. Strengthening safety and sustainability, close to three kilometres of internal roads and pathways within the colony, along with a two-kilometre stretch leading to the fishing jetty, are now illuminated by nearly 100 modern solar streetlights.

Implemented under the CSR outreach of Adani Gopalpur Port in peripheral villages, the rural solar lighting initiative highlights the Group’s commitment to community-centric development. Beyond improving visibility, the project enhances livelihood security for local fishermen and promotes environmentally sustainable practices through clean energy solutions.

Most families in the colony depend on fishing and daily wage labour. Earlier, inadequate lighting posed serious challenges. Fishermen heading to the jetty before dawn had to navigate long dark stretches, women faced difficulties fetching water after sunset, and elderly residents were hesitant to step out at night. Poorly lit streets also raised concerns over petty theft, anti-social activities and even snake encounters.

With the commissioning of solar-powered streetlights, the situation has changed markedly. Operating on renewable energy, the lights continue to function seamlessly even during power outages, ensuring uninterrupted illumination and reliability.

The transformation is now visible across the colony. Early-morning fishing trips have become safer and more efficient, elderly residents move comfortably between streets, and evenings have grown more vibrant with children playing outdoors and families engaging in community interactions.

Sriram, a Class VII student, said the lighting has made a tangible difference. “We can now safely ride our bicycles to attend tuition classes in the evening and play under the streetlights. These solar lights are environmentally friendly and unaffected by power cuts,” he noted.

Residents such as Lingaraj Behera recalled that darkness earlier led to incidents of bike and fuel theft. “Now the streets are fully lit and we feel secure. We are thankful to the Adani Foundation,” he said.

For women like Smt. B. Karamma, the change is deeply personal. Carrying a water jar along an illuminated pathway, she shared that fetching water at night was once difficult due to darkness, but now women feel safe and confident. She added that the port and the foundation have not only lit the streets but also brightened everyday life in the colony.

In Aryapalli’s ODRP Colony, the steady glow of solar lights has emerged as a powerful symbol of sustainable development and inclusive growth, demonstrating how responsible infrastructure aligned with community needs can foster safety, dignity and long-term resilience across port-peripheral villages.