For the residents of the tiny islet, Neelakantarayanagaddi, in the downstream of the Narayanpur Dam across the Krishna it was a dream come true after the first electric light was switched on in their houses.
“The cost of the project was Rs 6.30 lakh, which was paid by London-based Armstrong Energy Global. Celco Solar Light Private Limited provided the required technical equipments for the project on the actual purchased price. Hence, the cost of installing solar energy system in the islet was reduced considerably,” Prasanna Hegde, Assistant General Manager, Celco Solar Light Private Limited, told The Hindu over phone from Dharwad on Saturday.
Forty houses, including a few huts, on the islet have been provided electricity and Celco Solar Light Ltd. has provided a 5-watts Light-Emitting Diode bulb, powered by a solar panel, in each house. Harish Hande, winner of the Magsaysay Award and chairman of Celco Solar Light Ltd., has been behind the efforts to bring electricity to the islet.
Mr. Hande, who visited the islet, had prepared a survey report and convinced Armstrong Energy Global to provide the required assistance. A local resident Nanaguda Patil pitched in with Rs. 1 lakh for maintenance.
“This is a remarkable day for every person on the islet and for the first time we are seeing electricity on the islet, which during the monsoon is surrounded by water and cut off from the main land,” said Lakshman, a resident of the islet.
However, another pending demand of residents for a hanging bridge across the Krishna for access to the main land is yet to be fulfilled.
