Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister Aman Arora has announced that the Punjab government will install 3 lakh LED-based solar street lights in villages across all 23 districts at a cost of ₹470 crore.
Speaking at Punjab Bhawan after issuing work orders to seven selected agencies, Arora said the project aims to improve rural safety, infrastructure and clean-energy access. Under the revised funding model, the state government will bear 70% of the cost, while Gram Panchayats will contribute 30%, reducing the financial burden on village bodies.
The project will be implemented by the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA), which will also oversee the repair and maintenance of existing solar street lights. The maintenance support period has been increased from five years to seven years.
To ensure transparency, each street light will be geo-tagged, linked with QR codes and IVRS-based complaint systems, and monitored remotely. Faults will be repaired within 72 hours through an automated maintenance mechanism.
Priority for installation will be given to village roads, schools, anganwadi centres, health facilities, religious places and densely populated areas. The scheme will operate on an opt-in basis, allowing panchayats to choose the number and type of lights according to local needs.
Arora said the initiative would help improve security, support economic activity after sunset and strengthen Punjab’s rural development and clean-energy infrastructure.
