Punjab To Illuminate 13,000 Villages With Solar LED Streetlights

17 Apr 2026 CW Team

The state Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, approved the programme and directed implementation by the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA). Installation will be carried out in phases between June and October 2026 and the revised funding pattern allocates 70 per cent of costs to the state government and 30 per cent to gram panchayats. Each light will be covered by a seven-year annual maintenance contract and defective units will be replaced within three days.

The system will include geo-tagging of each light, centralised monitoring through a command and control centre and an IVR helpline for complaints to ensure quick resolution. Officials indicated that past village lighting efforts amounted to around 0.114 mn streetlights over seven decades, many of which are now defunct, and that the new scheme seeks to modernise and expand the rural network. The initiative is expected to enhance safety, particularly for women, promote inclusivity and strengthen economic activity in rural areas while supporting green energy goals.

The project will be implemented in a phased manner by PEDA with installations, monitoring and maintenance managed through district teams to expedite deployment and repairs. The Minister noted that the financial burden on gram panchayats has been significantly reduced compared with earlier arrangements and that the Cabinet continues to prioritise pro-people policies and schemes. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders were present at the announcement and officials said the scheme complements other state programmes aimed at improving public services and infrastructure.

Punjab's New and Renewable Energy Minister Aman Arora announced a state programme, Mukhya Mantri Roshan Punjab Yojna, to illuminate 13,000 villages with solar LED streetlights at an outlay of Rs 5,500 mn. The announcement was made in Jalandhar on April 12, 2026 and the scheme is expected to see the installation of over 0.3 mn solar streetlights across the state. The project is described as one of the largest rural lighting initiatives in the region and aims to provide reliable, cost-effective lighting to villages. The state Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, approved the programme and directed implementation by the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA). Installation will be carried out in phases between June and October 2026 and the revised funding pattern allocates 70 per cent of costs to the state government and 30 per cent to gram panchayats. Each light will be covered by a seven-year annual maintenance contract and defective units will be replaced within three days. The system will include geo-tagging of each light, centralised monitoring through a command and control centre and an IVR helpline for complaints to ensure quick resolution. Officials indicated that past village lighting efforts amounted to around 0.114 mn streetlights over seven decades, many of which are now defunct, and that the new scheme seeks to modernise and expand the rural network. The initiative is expected to enhance safety, particularly for women, promote inclusivity and strengthen economic activity in rural areas while supporting green energy goals. The project will be implemented in a phased manner by PEDA with installations, monitoring and maintenance managed through district teams to expedite deployment and repairs. The Minister noted that the financial burden on gram panchayats has been significantly reduced compared with earlier arrangements and that the Cabinet continues to prioritise pro-people policies and schemes. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders were present at the announcement and officials said the scheme complements other state programmes aimed at improving public services and infrastructure.

Infrastructure Urban

07 May 2026

Vedanta Reports Record Profit in FY26

Vedanta reported its best-ever financial performance in FY26, with profit after tax of Rs 250.96 billion and revenue of Rs 1.74 trillion, supported by operational excellence across businesses. The company delivered nearly 50 per cent total shareholder return and declared a dividend of Rs 34 per share.Vedanta said its net debt-to-EBITDA improved to 0.95x, strengthening financial flexibility. Its demerger, effective 1 May 2026, is aimed at unlocking value by creating focused businesses across aluminium, oil and gas, power, iron and steel, zinc, copper, nickel and ferro alloys.Vedanta Aluminium p..

Infrastructure Energy

07 May 2026

KEC Wins Orders Worth Rs 10.02 Billion

KEC International, an RPG Group company and global infrastructure EPC major, has secured new orders worth Rs 10.02 billion across its key businesses.In Transmission and Distribution, the company has won orders for projects in India and the Americas. These include ±500 kV HVDC transmission lines from a private developer in Western India, 132 kV cabling works from a steel producer in Eastern India, and the supply of towers, hardware and poles in the Americas.The renewables business has secured an order for a 100+ MW wind project in Southern India from a private developer. In transportation, KEC..

Infrastructure Urban

07 May 2026

Hindustan Zinc Opens Cath Lab in Udaipur

Hindustan Zinc recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory at Rabindranath Tagore Hospital, Udaipur. The facility was inaugurated by Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh, in the presence of local MLAs, RNT Hospital leadership and senior Hindustan Zinc officials.The Cath Lab follows an MoU signed earlier between Hindustan Zinc and RNT Hospital for the redevelopment and upgradation of the hospital into a future-ready, multi-speciality healthcare facility. Equipped with advanced cardiac technology, it will support minimally invasiv..