Creepers grow on power-less electric poles

Gadchiroli: Solar panels serve as the only source of power in Gongwada village which is located 18km deep inside the forest of Bhamragad taluka in Maoist-hit Gadchiroli. There is no power supply here and even the solar panels were installed just a couple of months back.
Seven villages in this taluka — Gongwada, Ghotpar, Pengunda, Mahkapar, Borange and Kucchar — fall under the Paraynar gram panchayat. Even 72 years after Independence, only Pengunda and Kucchar have continuous electricity supply. Recently, the central government had announced that all Indian villages have been electrified.

The taxpayers among the 82 families of Gongwada were provided with a solar panel after a long wait as a temporary solution in the absence of electricity. Each solar panel supports five lights and a fan.

The Pungati family of Gongwada is among the luckier lot as both father and son pay tax making them eligible for two panels. Their four-room house has two fans and the added option of having power to charge mobile phones.

“The MSEDCL had erected electric poles in the village a few years ago. Creepers grow on them now,” said Manohar Pungati, a farmer, pointing to one of the poles behind his house. “We have no idea how long it would take for the authorities to bring electricity here,” he added.

The lights flicker on days when sunlight isn’t strong enough. The villagers are already sceptical about the utilities of such panels during the rainy season and later in winter when the sunlight isn’t bright and strong.

Raju Markami, a resident of Gongwada and president of the gram sabha, said the authorities had first tried to light up their homes in early 2000 when every family was given a battery and light. “We got them a second time in a gap of few years but the solar panels were installed only a couple of months ago,” he said.

Recently, the MSEDCL brought some equipment and some wires but left rest of the work for the gram panchayat to complete. “We are now running from pillar to post to find out which department in the gram panchayat and which officials would decide the fate of the incomplete work,” said Markami.

The Gongwada villager said without regular maintenance, the solar cells “may not function properly”. “Who will undertake that work and bear the cost we are not sure,” said Markami, adding that he is ready for gloomy days during monsoon and winter.

As per a reliable source, Maoist leaders would oppose cutting of trees for installing electric poles and overhead wires. The rebels were also apparently upset that the villagers would use electricity in their farm fences to keep away wild animals and, in the process, kill them.

Activist Lalsu Naroti, who is also an advocate, said there are several villages in the taluka where power supply does not reach. This includes Kuwakori, Beenagonda, Turaimarka, Podewada, Pungeshur and some more. “In Gongwada, there is a demand that the health sub-centre be upgraded to a primary health centre. The local administration claims that the village has a population of only 427 and hence it cannot be done. However, the rules state that since the tribals are Madias they are considered as PVTGs (particularly vulnerable tribal group) and hence eligible as per the Planning Commission norms. To bring a PHC, continuous electricity is needed,” he said.