After 75 Years of Independence Gudem village sees electric lights for the first time

For the first time since Independence, the tribal hamlet of Gudem in the Alluri Sitarama Raju district has been electrified under a Central Government initiative. The effort was facilitated by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, whose intervention ensured that the long-neglected village finally received access to electricity through a solar-hybrid power system.

The project was implemented with assistance from the Ministry of Power, the Andhra Pradesh Energy Department, and the Non-Conventional Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP) under the PM–JANMAN Mission. It marked the first time electric lights illuminated the hilltop tribal habitation, which had remained cut off from essential infrastructure for more than seven decades.

Background of the Village

The village of Gudem is located deep inside the forests of Ananthagiri mandal, about 50 kilometres from the mandal headquarters, and falls under the Rompalli gram panchayat. It consists of 17 houses inhabited by tribal families who have lived for generations without electricity, proper roads, or safe drinking water.

For years, villagers relied on oil lamps after sunset and lived in fear of wild animals at night. Despite several requests to local officials, no progress was made earlier due to the challenging terrain and lack of road connectivity.

Five months ago, the villagers approached Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and explained their hardships. Their appeal was taken seriously, and immediate instructions were issued to the Alluri Sitarama Raju District Collector and the Electricity Department to electrify the village.

Implementation of the Project

Under the Deputy Chief Minister’s supervision, coordination was established between the State Energy Minister G. Ravi Kumar, APEPDCL, and NREDCAP. The project was approved under the Non-PVGTD (Non–Prime Village Grid Tied Development) programme of the Ministry of Power, with additional support from the PM–JANMAN (Prime Minister’s Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups Mission).

A total of 217 electricity poles were installed across 9.6 kilometres of forest and rocky hills to reach the village, at an estimated project cost of ₹80 lakh. A 10-kilowatt solar-hybrid mini power plant was constructed within the hamlet, connected to a local transformer and a battery storage system. Electricity connections were provided to all 17 houses, each receiving five LED bulbs and one ceiling fan free of cost. The installation was completed within 15 days despite the difficulty of the terrain.

Maintenance of the system has been assigned to NREDCAP engineers for five years, and villagers are exempt from monthly electricity bills during this period as the system operates under the state’s off-grid solar electrification scheme.

National Electrification Commitment under PMJJY

The electrification of Gudem village aligns with the broader national commitment under the Pradhan Mantri Janman Jyoti Yojana (PMJJY), an initiative aimed at achieving 100 percent village electrification across India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his 2015 Independence Day address, pledged that every village would receive electricity, emphasizing that inclusive development begins with access to power.

While the government connected most villages under this mission, thousands of habitations across India, especially in remote forest and hilly regions, still remain in darkness. Official data suggest that several pockets in states such as Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and parts of the Northeast continue to await electricity due to geographical and logistical barriers. Experts point out that these un-electrified habitations must now be the focus of renewed governmental efforts to ensure no village remains left behind.

A remarkable example of progress came after Droupadi Murmu became the President of India, when her ancestral Santhal village in Odisha received electricity for the first time. The moment symbolised national development reaching even the most isolated tribal communities.

However, political debate has accompanied the government’s claims. Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, speaking during the Congress period, criticised the Modi government’s approach to publicity, alleging that while it was showcasing new electricity connections nationwide, nearly 80 percent of the groundwork had already been laid during earlier Congress administrations. He remarked that the Modi government seemed more focused on promotion than on continuity of earlier developmental programmes.

Andhra Pradesh Government’s Role

In Andhra Pradesh, the state government has intensified electrification through the PM–JANMAN Mission and PMJJY framework. Acting on directions from Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, coordination among NREDCAP, the Energy Department, and ITDA Paderu has been strengthened to ensure all remaining tribal habitations in Alluri Sitarama Raju district are electrified by 2026.

Field engineers have begun installing solar-hybrid mini grids and low-voltage lines in remote areas. Officials are conducting village-level energy audits to identify yet-unconnected settlements and expedite their inclusion in ongoing schemes. This initiative supports Prime Minister Modi’s vision of bringing reliable electricity to every Indian village and showcases Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to achieving complete rural energy access.

Statements and Reactions

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan stated that the electrification of Gudem represented a new beginning for the region’s tribal communities. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for prioritising rural and tribal development.

“The government is committed to ensuring that no tribal family is left behind. The light that reached Gudem represents hope and inclusion for every neglected habitation in the hills,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.

He appreciated the efforts of Energy Minister Ravi Gottipati, APCPCL Chairman and Managing Director Prithvi Teja, and the staff of the Electricity Department for completing the project in record time.

Status of Remaining Villages

According to the ITDA Paderu Annual Report (2022–23) and the Energy Department’s 2024–25 plan, 112 un-electrified gudems (tribal habitations) are still awaiting electrification in the Alluri Sitarama Raju district. Of these, 58 have already been sanctioned under Phase I (2024–25) of the PM–JANMAN programme, while the remaining 54 will be covered in Phase II (2025–26).

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s office has identified 27 priority gudems based on remoteness and population size. Gudem was the first among them to receive electrification. Preparations for similar projects are now underway in Lothugedda, Kottapalli, and Dibbakonda villages.

While the success at Gudem is an important milestone, officials and social welfare experts point out that the challenge extends far beyond this single village. Many tribal belts across India are still unelectrified, highlighting the need for stronger coordination between central and state agencies to address the final pockets of darkness.

Celebrations in the Village

On Wednesday, electric lights glowed in Gudem for the first time, coinciding with Karthika Pournami. The villagers celebrated the occasion with joy and gratitude. For many, it was the first time their homes were illuminated by electric bulbs.

Local MLA S. Vijay Kumar, Janasena Party leaders, and ITDA officials visited the hamlet to join the celebrations, travelling part of the way by tractor due to the absence of roads. Residents expressed happiness and relief that their long-standing dream had finally come true. “We used to live in darkness and fear. Now our children can study at night,” said one villager, smiling as lights shone across the hillside community.