Introduction of solar power in the rural areas of Rangpur, Kurigram
and Lalmonirhat districts has ushered in a new hope for the people as
electricity supply is not adequate in these areas.
As the Rural Electrification Board cannot supply electricity to the
‘char’ areas, people of these areas are becoming interested in using
solar power. About 5,000 solar power units have brought about a
revolutionary change in the lifestyle and economy of more than 30,000
people of 300 inaccessible char villages of the districts, villagers
and NGO officials said.
According to sources, several NGOs including RDRS, BRAC, Grameen
Shakti, Protyasha and Aspect with the help of Infrastructure
Development Company Ltd. (IDCL) have so far set up the solar power
units at a cost of Tk. 12000 to Tk 40,000 per unit on cash or down
payment.
They provided necessary equipment and technical assistant for solar
power generation.
The people of Char Nazirdah, Pallimari, Chatra, Monneya, Majirah in
Kounia upazilas under Rangpur district said they have changed their
lifestyle by using solar power.
People of Hatia, Bazar, Baraburi, Gunaigachh, Char Santosbiram and
Kamar Damarhat Char villages in Ulipur Upazila under Kurigram district
are now using 100 solar units provided by BRAC and other NGOs on easy
installments.
Char people of 50 more villages under Sadar, Aditmari, Kaliganj and
Hatibandha upazilas of Lalmonirhat district have also changed their
lifestyle through utilizing the facilities of solar power plants in
groups from Protyasha, BRAC and Aspect.
Solar power users expressed their satisfaction over the continuous
supply of power by using solar technology. Some said sellers usually
give them 15 year’s guarantee.
Other users said the village people who earlier did not have a single
road for plying a rickshaw are now regularly enjoying Television
programmes with the help of solar power.
Local people said the demand for solar power is increasing at adjacent
char villages and called for setting up of higher capacity solar power
units. Battery-driven auto-rickshaws deepens power crisis. -Our
Correspondent
