Electrifying India

Connectivity and reliable electricity supply continue to be a distant dream for lakhs of homes across India. Project Chirag’s visionary ‘Light For All’, spread across nine states, has touched the lives of 1,09,897 rural Indians in 500 villages.

The project’s objective is to use solar energy as a pivot for rural transformation by impacting homes, education, health, social security and livelihoods while simultaneously empowering villagers to make a sustainable change.
Ghodichapada, a remote village in Berista, Mokhada, Palghar, faces consistent water and power issues. It is a small settlement with 70 houses and approximately 400 villagers, on the banks of the River Wagh.

Mukundpada, a twin hamlet that grew as an extension of Ghodichapada, is even more remote and totally disconnected as one has to cross a river from Ghodichapada to get there. With 13 homes and a population of hundred, they would have remained neglected, hence, the need to support the two villages jointly.

The Rotary Club of Bombay, along with Chirag Rural Development Foundation, embarked upon a project to bring about sustainable and integrated development of Ghodhichapada and Mukundpada.

At the outset, a technical team did a detailed survey to see how best to bring water to the village. It was decided to use solar mini grids to power three water pumps of 2.5 HP – one, in the river closer to Ghodichapada for water for agriculture and domestic use, another in a well in Ghodichapada to ensure villagers have the convenience of safe drinking water; the third pump in the river closer to the side connecting Mukundpada for its water needs. Water pumped from the river is stored in four “houds” or concrete tanks from where villagers fetch their water. Since Mukundpada has only 13 houses, the villagers have been given individual water filters to ensure they get safe drinking water as well.

All homes have received home lighting solutions that include a solar panel, two bulbs, a mobile charging facility and a portable lantern for outdoor use. Streets are now safer and brighter with sensor-based street lights that light up their path. The School and ICDS centre are now better equipped with solar support.

Seven villagers have donated a part of their land as “bhudaan” for the mini-grids and tanks and many of them engaged in “shramdaan” to dig trenches and lay pipes.

Mogra and tree saplings have been distributed to generate income for the villagers.

An additional intervention by means of two toilet blocks have been provided at Ghodichapada and one at Mukundpada. We are also providing wheelchairs to the needy.

With this intervention, 500 villagers will have access to clean and continuous power for their homes, streets, schools and ICDS centre, safe drinking water, toilets to make the two hamlets Open-Defecation-Free and water for domestic and agricultural use.

Chirag Rural Development Foundation along with DSF, its grassroot implementation partner, will handle the after-care of the project should anything go wrong with the products while our field staff conduct training and provide guidance on use and maintenance of equipment installed.