Over 2,600 solar lamps have been installed in 148 residential schools of Kandhamal district.
The project has been funded by Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDA) of Phulbani and Baliguda with each lamp costing about Rs 2,100, officials said.
While ITDA, Phulbani, provided around 2,200 lamps for 59 schools, ITDA Baliguda supplied about 420 lamps in 89 schools. More lamps would be provided in schools in the coming years after reviewing outcome of this year, they said.
"The solar lamps are of immense help to hostel inmates in remote areas where there is either no power connection or a low voltage problem," said Project Director of ITDA, Phulbani, Pranati Patra.
These solar lamps would be highly useful for students during power cuts, he said.
Unscheduled power cut is common in Kandhamal, while in rural areas it is very acute as it continues for long hours. The hostel inmates of residential schools are facing much difficulty due to the power cuts. "We have provided one solar lamp for a group of four inmates," said Patra.
The ITDA, Baliguda, has also decided to install solar pumps in different schools to supply water to the students. "We have prepared a detailed scheme, but it is yet to be worked out," said another officer.
The proposal was likely to be rolled out during the current year after obtaining approval from the government, he said.
