Chandigarh, April 12: To modernize rural infrastructure, Punjab’s New and Renewable Energy Minister Aman Arora on Sunday unveiled the ‘Mukhya Mantri Roshan Punjab Yojna’. The ₹550-crore initiative aims to install over 3 lakh solar-powered LED streetlights across 13,000 villages, marking one of the state’s most significant rural development projects to date.
The Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, sanctioned the programme on Saturday to provide sustainable and cost-effective illumination. Arora stated that the project, managed by the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA), is scheduled for a phased rollout between June and October 2026. He noted that the funding structure has been reversed to favor local bodies, with the state government now covering 70 percent of the costs, while gram panchayats contribute the remaining 30 percent.
The Minister maintained that the initiative addresses long-standing gaps in rural lighting, stating that many of the lights installed over the past seven decades are currently non-functional. To prevent similar issues, the new scheme includes a seven-year maintenance contract. Arora affirmed that any defunct light will be repaired or replaced within 72 hours. “All street lights to be monitored centrally with provisions to fix each defunct light within 3 days,” the Minister declared.
The technological framework of the project includes geo-tagging for every unit and a centralized command center to track performance. Residents will also have access to an IVR helpline for reporting malfunctions. Arora stated that the project is designed to improve living standards and bolster security, particularly for women, while promoting inclusive economic growth in the countryside. He affirmed that this initiative is a vital step toward the administration’s vision of a ‘Rangla Punjab’.
