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Solar electricity changes life in Dahogram-Angorpota

Over 400 households, shops get connection

20 June 2009, 17:00 PM

NATIONAL

A Correspondent, Lalmonirhat

People at a house in Dahogram enclave watching TV with uninterrupted power supply from a solar energy device. The residents of the enclave, which is deprived of regular electricity supply, could hardly think of such opportunity only one and a half years ago.Photo: STAR

The people of Dahogram-Angorpota enclave under Patgram upazila in Lalmonirhat district are now enjoying the benefits of electricity, thanks to the initiative of Grameen Shakti, Brac and local NGO Padokhkhep. Following easy term arrangement of solar power-run electricity by the three non-government organisations, the enclave people first got electricity connections in May 2007. The initiative brings bright prospect for about 16 thousand inhabitants of Dahogram-Angorpota enclave, who have so far been deprived of the benefits of the age of information due to lack of electricity. About 220 consumers of solar power-run electricity and almost equal number of beneficiaries of 'shared connections' are using energy bulbs, small fans, TV and VCD in their houses and shops. Unlike the people in the mainland, they do not have to face load-shedding problem. About eight years ago, Palli Biddyut men set up poles and cables for supplying electricity to the enclave area but they failed to give electricity connections there as the Indian authorities did not allow bringing the electric cables through the Tinbigha Corridor. “I have taken 80-watt solar power connection from Grameen Shakti for Tk 45 thousand which is to be paid in instalments for three years. With 30 watts I use two bulbs, a small fan and play cassette. I have arranged providing the rest 50 watts for four nearby shops on monthly rent basis,” said Golam Mostafa, a cloth shop owner at Dahogram Bazar. “I, other seven members of my family, even neighbours watch TV programmes several times a day at my house. We enjoy different entertainment programmes and get news about the country and the world,” Delowar Hossain, another solar power consumer at Dahogram, said. Students are happy as they can study at night with the light run by solar power. Grameen Shakti, Brac and Padokhkhep are providing solar panels, batteries, and necessary tools of solar power device for Tk 12,000 to 55,000 depending on capacity that ranges from 20 watts to 120 watts, said solar power consumers. One has to deposit 15 to 25 percent of the total cost as down payment and the rest is payable in 24 to 36 monthly instalments. “We have provided solar power equipment to about 180 consumers. Thirty people have got connections from Padokhkhep and 10 people from Brac. Users are given 15 years guarantee. More and more people are showing interest to use solar power,” said Mehedi Hasan, area manager of Grameen Shakti.