The rural landscape of Maharashtra is witnessing a quiet green revolution, with Uthalpeth village in Chandrapur district achieving a remarkable feat. This village in Mul taluka has officially become the largest fully solar-powered village in Maharashtra, setting a new benchmark for clean energy adoption in the state.
A Village Transformed by the Sun
Uthalpeth's journey to energy self-reliance is now complete, with solar panels installed on all 180 households. This achievement makes it the biggest village in the state to be entirely powered by rooftop solar energy. It is the second such village in the Vidarbha region, following Chichghat-Rathi in Wardha district. The first fully solar-powered village in Maharashtra was Manyachiwadi in Satara.
The transformation underscores the growing reach of decentralised renewable energy in rural India. This shift is being propelled by the central government's flagship program, the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The scheme's core objectives are to promote energy independence, slash household electricity bills, and fast-track India's transition to sustainable power sources.
Political Will and Grassroots Implementation
The project, with an estimated cost of approximately Rs 83 lakh, was financed through the district annual plan for the fiscal year 2025-26. Its successful execution is credited to a coordinated effort between local administration and political leadership. The initiative will be formally inaugurated on December 17 by Ballarpur MLA and former Maharashtra minister, Sudhir Mungantiwar.
Villagers and officials have highlighted Mungantiwar's persistent follow-up and administrative support as crucial factors in turning policy vision into a village-wide reality. His role was instrumental in mobilising the necessary funds and ensuring seamless coordination between various technical and administrative agencies for timely implementation.
Impact and the Road Ahead
The move to 100% solar power has delivered tangible benefits to Uthalpeth's residents. The village now enjoys an uninterrupted electricity supply, a significant upgrade in quality of life. Furthermore, it has drastically reduced dependence on the conventional power grid, leading to lower costs and a smaller carbon footprint.
Uthalpeth stands as a shining example of how central schemes, when coupled with effective local leadership and community participation, can achieve transformative results. It provides a scalable model for other villages across India aiming for energy security and environmental sustainability.
