Patna: Bihar’s flagship solar street light scheme has failed to achieve its installation target within the stipulated timeline. The state had planned to install 11.70 lakh solar street lights across 8,053 gram panchayats by March 2026, but the deadline has passed with the project still incomplete.
According to official figures available till June 25, only 10.59 lakh street lights have been installed, leaving nearly 1.11 lakh units yet to be deployed. Many of these remain stuck in warehouses or are pending installation due to delays by technical agencies.
The Energy Department entrusted the implementation of the project to the Bihar Renewable Energy Development Agency (BREDA), while the Panchayati Raj Department is funding the scheme.
More Than Two Lakh Installed Lights Not Working
The scheme is also facing operational challenges after installation. Of the 10.59 lakh solar street lights installed so far, 2.16 lakh units are currently non-functional, according to official data.
BREDA has categorised these cases as either faulty equipment or signal loss. However, villagers have reported that batteries and solar panels at several locations stopped functioning within days of installation.
State Mukhiya Federation president Mithilesh Rai alleged that nearly 70 per cent of solar street lights in villages are not operational, claiming that quality standards are being ignored despite directives from the Chief Minister.
Scheme Provides 10 Lights Per Ward
Under the scheme, every ward in a gram panchayat is entitled to 10 solar street lights. Mukhiyas are also authorised to install 10 additional lights at public locations such as schools, hospitals and panchayat buildings.
Each unit is fitted with a 20-watt LED light, an automatic timer that switches the light off during the daytime, and a 24-hour power backup system.
Monitoring System Exists, Accountability Questioned
Although BREDA operates a Centralised Monitoring System (CMS) to monitor the functioning of the lights, the large number of non-functional units has raised concerns over implementation and maintenance.
Officials have also pointed to coordination gaps between technology developer Amnex Infotechnologies and field implementation agencies. The situation has prompted questions over accountability in maintaining the infrastructure after installation.
72-Hour Repair Rule Yet to Deliver Results
The Panchayati Raj Department and BREDA have directed maintenance agencies to repair faulty lights within 72 hours. Contractors are liable to face penalties if repairs are not completed within the prescribed timeframe.
To strengthen monitoring, panchayat secretaries have been provided access to the CMS mobile application, where they are required to submit weekly updates on the operational status of street lights. The system is intended to help identify and replace faulty units at the earliest, though implementation challenges continue to persist.
