Free Rooftop Solar Units Launched for 4,200 SC, ST Households in Puthalapattu

Tirupati: The state government on Thursday launched rooftop solar installations for SC and ST households in Puthalapattu constituency of Chittoor district, covering more than 4,200 beneficiaries in the first phase.

The programme was inaugurated at Anakamabattu Harijanawada under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Energy minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar formally launched installation of 2 kW rooftop solar units for eligible domestic consumers.

Addressing the gathering, Ravi Kumar said the NDA government aimed to provide quality electricity at affordable cost to every household. He said about ₹54 crore was being spent in the constituency to provide free rooftop solar units to SC and ST beneficiaries. Each eligible household consuming up to 200 units of electricity would receive a 2 kW system worth around Rs 1.25 lakh free of cost.

He said the initiative would reduce the financial burden on poor households and improve reliability of supply. The minister added that the government was also strengthening power infrastructure in Rayalaseema by constructing more than 65 substations at an estimated cost of ₹250 crore to address low-voltage problems and meet rising demand. Two new substations were also being planned for Puthalapattu, he said.

Chittoor MP D. Prasada Rao said the scheme would help poor families reduce monthly power bills and ensure stable electricity supply. He urged eligible households to utilise the opportunity.

District collector Sumit Kumar said around 43,000 applications had been received across the district under the scheme. He said 102 beneficiaries in the colony were covered on Thursday and implementation would continue in phases across all constituencies.

Puthalapattu MLA Kalakiri Murali Mohan said works worth Rs 77.34 crore had been completed under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme in the constituency, while additional works were under progress.