Sanchi, Raisen District: Once lauded as Madhya Pradesh’s pioneering solar city, the world-renowned historical site of Sanchi is now grappling with an ironic reality – widespread darkness. Grand claims of a multi-crore solar project have dissolved into a grim testament to mismanagement, leaving residents and visitors questioning the fate of public funds and a promise unfulfilled.
The stark reality is evident on Stupa Road and Station Road, where solar street lights, intended to illuminate the path, remain stubbornly switched off. The very roads that were to exemplify Sanchi’s commitment to renewable energy are now shrouded in darkness, posing inconvenience and safety concerns. The residential uptake of solar power is equally dismal, with only 20 out of 2000 houses reportedly equipped with solar panels. Even the installed street lights are either defunct or prone to flickering with the slightest breeze, highlighting shoddy implementation.
The failure extends beyond lighting. Five solar water coolers, strategically placed at the railway station, Stupa Road, and bus stand, have become mere showpieces, never dispensing the promised cold water. A local vegetable vendor lamented, “The entire summer has passed, but we have not got cold water to date.” Similarly, e-rickshaws, introduced to foster pollution-free transportation, now lie abandoned in the Nagar Parishad’s junkyard, their designated charging station a silent monument to a defunct initiative. This facility, procured at considerable public expense, has become scrap even before serving its intended purpose.
The ambitious solar plant on Nagauri hill, built at a cost of 18.75 crores, was touted to provide Sanchi with 24-hour electricity and drastically reduce its monthly power bill. Inaugurated two years ago by the then Chief Minister Shivraj Chauhan, the project now presents a different picture. Despite the claims of round-the-clock power, the city continues to face lighting issues, with only poles visible where lights should be. The promise of relief from hefty electricity bills remains elusive.
Sanchi may hold the title of the country’s first solar city, but the ground reality paints a picture of schemes that exist only on paper. The public has received neither consistent light, nor cold water, nor pollution-free transport. The question now looms large: who is accountable for the colossal failure of these projects, and who will answer for the crores of rupees of public funds seemingly squandered?
Join our whatsapp group for Latest updates
Click Here for Chhattisgarh News
Click Here for Entertainment News