THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
KENDRAPADA, AUGUST 17, 2026
In a major push towards a cleaner, greener and more
energy-secure future, Kendrapada district on Monday took a decisive step to
bring the benefits of rooftop solar closer to the people, as TP Central Odisha
Distribution Limited (TPCODL) flagged off its Solar Rath from the Office of the
District Collector. Designed to take the message of renewable energy directly
to communities, the initiative seeks to turn awareness into action and
encourage more households to embrace rooftop solar under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
The Solar Rath was flagged off by Kendrapada Collector
Raghuram R. Iyer, in the presence of senior TPCODL officials. The specially
deployed awareness vehicle will travel across Model Solar Villages and other
villages in the district, engaging with consumers and explaining the benefits
of rooftop solar, government subsidies, eligibility criteria and the
installation process. The Solar Sanga team will accompany the campaign, helping
residents understand the scheme and addressing their questions and concerns on
the spot.
The initiative comes at an important juncture for Kendrapada,
following the selection of 10 villages for the Model Solar Village Competition
under the PM Surya Ghar scheme. The selection was made during a District Level
Committee meeting chaired by the Collector. The identified villages will now
compete to achieve the highest number of rooftop solar installations within a
period of 90 days, giving the campaign an added thrust at the grassroots level.
The competition also carries a significant incentive. The
village recording the highest level of rooftop solar adoption will be eligible
for Central Financial Assistance of ₹1 crore as a Renewable
Energy Development Grant, creating a strong opportunity for communities to collectively lead
the district’s transition towards clean energy.
Speaking on the occasion, Kendrapada Collector Raghuram R. Iyer said, “The Solar Rath will take awareness about rooftop solar directly to the people and help more households benefit from the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. Such initiatives will promote renewable energy and sustainable development in the district.”
With the Solar Rath taking the solar message from village to village, TPCODL is seeking to bridge the gap between government schemes and household-level adoption. Through initiatives such as ‘Mo Chhata, Mo Sanchaya’, Gram Sabhas and Solar Rath, the company continues to strengthen consumer awareness and make clean, affordable and sustainable solar energy more accessible across its areas of operation.
