Gariaband first in State with max. solar irrigation pumps

Gariaband district has acquired the first place in the State in terms of the maximum number of solar irrigation pumps established so far, officials informed.

Under the Saur Sujala Programme, a total of 2456 farmers have received solar pumps in the district so far.

All the solar pumps are in the working condition. A target of installing 700 solar pumps had been set against which 1019 solar pumps were established in the first phase of Saur Sujala Programme, officials informed.

During the second phase, process had been completed to install 1437 solar pumps in the district.

Earlier, the farmers were completely dependent on rainfall for irrigation of their land. The Saur Sujala Programme had brought great relief for the farmers of the district and had also resulted in increased agricultural production.

Nearly 36,393 solar pumps have been installed in various parts of the state till date under Saur Sujala Programme till June this year.

Besides, installation of nearly 20,000  solar pumps had been proposed.

This information was provided at the meeting of Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA) Chairman Purand Mishra while chairing a meeting recently. Various proposals were discussed in detail. The State government has sanctioned Rs 738.61 crore for various schemes of CREDA as per information provided.

Officials informed that Saur Sujala Programme was launched in year 2016-17 for establishing solar pumps in farms where it is not possible to supply power through conventional methods. Under this scheme, 12,080 solar pumps have been installed in agricultural lands of farmers.