THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BURLA, AUGUST 15, 2026

Celebrating the spirit of the nation’s 80th Independence Day, TP Western Odisha Distribution Limited (TPWODL), a joint venture of Tata Power and the Government of Odisha, honoured 90 consumers across Western Odisha for embracing rooftop solar under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PM Surya Ghar). Recognising these “Rooftop Solar Champions” across 17 Electricity Divisions and the Corporate Office, TPWODL reaffirmed its commitment to empowering consumers, promoting clean energy adoption and contributing to a greener, more sustainable and energy-self-reliant future for Odisha.

The celebrations commenced with the unfurling of the National Flag by Parveen Verma, Chief Executive Officer, TPWODL, in the presence of senior officials and employees. Addressing the gathering, Shri Verma emphasised the importance of commitment, dedication and service excellence in strengthening TPWODL’s role as a key partner in the State’s development and in delivering reliable and quality power to consumers.

As part of the Independence Day celebrations, TPWODL felicitated 90 beneficiaries of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, recognising their adoption of rooftop solar systems across the nine revenue districts of Western Odisha. Five beneficiaries from each of TPWODL’s 17 Electricity Divisions, along with five beneficiaries from the Corporate Office, were honoured for taking a meaningful step towards clean and renewable energy.

Speaking on the occasion, TPWODL CEO Parveen Verma said, “Independence Day reminds us of our shared responsibility to build a stronger, more sustainable and self-reliant nation. Our consumers who have adopted rooftop solar embody this spirit through their commitment to clean energy. By recognising these beneficiaries, we hope to inspire many more households across Western Odisha to embrace renewable energy. TPWODL remains committed to delivering reliable power while supporting Odisha’s clean energy journey.”

At the Corporate Office in Burla, Lalit Mohan Pradhan, Goutam Bhuyan, M. Shyam Sundar, Rabindra Kumar Sahoo and A. Siba Prasad Dora were felicitated by Parveen Verma. Similarly, beneficiaries across the respective divisions were felicitated by the concerned Divisional Managers.

Sharing his experience of adopting rooftop solar, Goutam Bhuyan of Burla said, “I installed a rooftop solar panel at my home about eight months ago. Before this, my annual electricity bill used to be around ₹20,000. After installing the solar panel, my monthly electricity bill has now come down to around ₹60–70. I expect my annual electricity bill this year to remain within ₹1,000. I have received the necessary support from TPWODL for the installation and maintenance of the solar panel. I thank TPWODL for its support. I encourage all electricity consumers to adopt rooftop solar, avail themselves of the subsidy benefits provided by the Government, and become partners in building a clean and sustainable energy future.”

The celebrations also featured a vibrant cultural programme that added colour and enthusiasm to the occasion. Students of the Government High School for the Blind, Burla, captivated the audience with a melodious group song, while Adrushya Natyashrama, Sambalpur, presented a thought-provoking street play on electrical safety. Patriotic songs and dance performances by employees and their children further enriched the celebrations.

The spirit of Independence Day extended beyond the Corporate Office, with celebrations held with equal enthusiasm across TPWODL’s five Circle Offices, Divisional Offices, Sub-Divisional Offices and other offices across Western Odisha. Employees actively participated in the festivities, reaffirming their commitment to providing reliable, safe and quality power supply to consumers while contributing to the region’s sustainable growth and development.