Odisha to Link PM Surya Ghar Scheme with PMAY, Announces ₹3,708-Crore Power Safety Plan

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government plans to integrate the PM Surya Ghar Yojana with its housing schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), to promote rooftop solar installations and provide affordable, clean electricity to beneficiaries, Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo announced on Tuesday.

The decision was taken during a high-level review meeting on power sector reforms, electricity safety and implementation of central and state schemes. Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) Vishal Kumar Dev, OPTCL CMD Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water S. N. Girish, and senior officials of the Energy Department and power distribution companies attended the meeting.

Singh Deo said beneficiaries of PMAY and other state housing schemes would have the option to install rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana. The initiative, he said, aims to ensure access to round-the-clock clean energy while reducing electricity bills for households.

Under the proposed convergence model, urban beneficiaries installing a 1 kW rooftop solar system will receive a subsidy of ₹30,000 from the Centre and ₹25,000 from the State Government, leaving the beneficiary to contribute ₹1,875 towards the installation cost.

The meeting also focused on strengthening electrical safety infrastructure across the state. The Deputy Chief Minister directed all four power distribution companies (DISCOMs) to undertake a ₹3,708-crore underground cabling project to replace overhead electricity lines in vulnerable areas.

Officials were also instructed to prepare a comprehensive State Safety Detailed Project Report (DPR) covering measures such as shifting low-hanging power lines, replacing bare conductors with insulated conductors, installing protective fencing around distribution substations, constructing boundary walls for power substations and strengthening low-tension (LT) network protection through cradle and guard wires.

The government also plans to develop a dedicated utility shifting portal and strengthen the Low Tension Distribution Box (LTDB) system to improve power infrastructure management and enhance public safety.

The review meeting further assessed the implementation of PM-SGMBY and the ULA Model for improving urban and rural electricity infrastructure, including installation of electric poles, distribution lines and street lighting.

Emphasising the government’s commitment to reliable and safe power supply, Singh Deo directed officials to ensure timely execution of all infrastructure and safety projects through close coordination among the Energy, Housing and Urban Development, and Rural Development departments.

“We are committed to providing safe, reliable and sustainable electricity to every household in Odisha. All departments must work in coordination to ensure timely implementation of these initiatives,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.