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A distant hamlet nestled wrong the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, which has remained without electrification adjacent aft 79 years of Independence, has present been provided with star lighting systems nether Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, astatine a outgo of ₹23 lakh.
Malliamman Durgham, nether Guthiyalathur panchayat successful the Kadambur Hills of Sathyamangalam Panchayat Union, is accessible lone aft traversing astir 9 kilometres of rugged terrain done forests. The hamlet, location to 159 families, has witnessed large-scale migration implicit the years owing to the deficiency of roads, electricity, dependable livelihoods, and healthcare facilities. While galore families moved to Kadambur and adjacent plains, astir 90 families proceed to reside successful the village, relying connected tiny landholdings wherever millets are cultivated.
1974 wood fire
Residents recalled that the hamlet archetypal received energy successful 1972, erstwhile 3 thoroughfare lights were installed. However, a wood occurrence successful 1974 destroyed the woody energy poles, plunging the colony backmost into darkness. In 2018, the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited installed 123 automatic star lighting systems successful households, enabling residents to run 2 electrical bulbs. Within a fewer years, however, the batteries and bulbs became defunct, forcing villagers erstwhile again to beryllium connected kerosene lanterns.
“This is the lone colony without energy successful the district,” said S. Subramanian, a nonmigratory of the hamlet. Officials said the Electricity Board is presently successful the process of obtaining wood clearance for installing electrical poles and providing accepted electrification to the village.
Meanwhile, nether the task titled ‘Surya-Olirum Malliamman Durgham’, star lighting facilities person present been provided to 90 households astatine an estimated outgo of ₹23 lakh. The initiative, which had been nether readying for the past 2 years, was formally completed connected May 13, 2026. Installation enactment was carried retired implicit 5 days from May 9, pursuing which the systems were handed implicit to the respective households.
Under the scheme, each household received a 300-watt star panel, a 45 Ah battery, 5 electrical lights, and a mobile telephone charging facility. The task besides covered isolated houses located on the wood fringes adjoining the village.
Funds for the inaugural were mobilised done contributions from Akshya Solutions, represented by I.B. Harikrishna, Besmak Components Private Limited, Inovance Technology Private Limited, Pteris Global Integrated Solution India Private Limited, and the absorption of Bannari Amman Institute of Technology. The funds were channelled done Tree People Trust for the procurement of star panels, batteries, and lighting equipment. Implementation was coordinated jointly by members of the Youth Red Cross (YRC) of the institute and volunteers.
Improved visibility
Residents said inadequate lighting had earlier made question wrong the colony hard astatine night. They added that the caller lighting facilities had improved visibility crossed the colony and created a conducive situation for children to survey aft sunset. Villagers described the task arsenic a important betterment to their prime of life.
The inaugural follows a akin task implemented successful May 2024 successful Kathirimalai nether Bargur panchayat successful Anthiyur taluk, wherever star lighting facilities were installed successful 85 houses astatine an estimated outgo of ₹25 lakh.
