Solar energy to power over 3k anganwadis In Pune district

Pune: Harit anganwadi, a concept to provide illumination and reduce electricity costs, will be implemented in Pune district where pre-school education and nutrition have high importance.

These centres will be lit up by solar energy projects through funding from District Planning Committee (DPC) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Currently, 1,100 anganwadis have operational solar energy projects. Pune ZP's chief executive officer Gajanan Patil said a Rs 10 crore proposal will be sent to the committee for funding solar energy projects in 985 of the remaining 3,284 anganwadis in the district. For the rest of the 2,300 anganwadis, companies have offered assistance through CSR funds, he added.

Pune district has 4,395 anganwadis, where 1,28,828 children receive pre-primary education. The ZP has taken steps to revamp the anganwadis to attract children and parents.

"Anganwadis often rely on electricity from gram panchayats or other sources, and many face power outages. The district council has initiated steps to implement solar energy projects to save on electricity costs," Patil added.

The expected cost for one project is around Rs one lakh. DPC reserves three per cent of its funds for the women and child welfare department. An estimated cost of around Rs 10 crore is expected, deputy chief executive officer of the department Jamsingh Girase said.

Anganwadis will also get a kitchen garden. Drumstick trees will be planted around the centres and the walls will be painted to make them lively.