Haripur Set to Become Chamba’s First Solar-Powered Panchayat

Chamba, November 13: In a major step toward clean energy and rural self-reliance, Haripur Gram Panchayat in Chamba district will soon have a 200 kW rooftop solar plant, solar streetlights, and a village-level solar power unit under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.

Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal, while chairing the district-level committee meeting, informed that the project estimated at ₹1 crore will make Haripur one of the first self-sustaining solar panchayats in the district. The installation will include solar streetlights across five wards (10 in each), benefiting community institutions including the panchayat building and four schools.

The DC directed officials from Him Urja and the Block Development Office, Chamba, to coordinate with local representatives to identify six bighas of land for the project and prepare a detailed project report along with the required FRA case.

Once operational, the solar plant is expected to generate an annual income of ₹10–11 lakh for the panchayat empowering it financially while promoting renewable energy and sustainable development.