Maharashtra villages embrace green energy, move towards zero waste, zero bills

In a significant push towards climate resilience and sustainable development, Maharashtra is pioneering innovative solutions that combine water security with renewable energy.

- SANJAY SINGH

The state's groundbreaking initiatives are transforming rural communities while addressing the dual challenges of water scarcity and energy transition.

The Water Supply and Sanitation Department, along with the Ground Water Surveys and Development Agency (GSDA), has initiated a revolutionary automated solar-hybrid water pumping system across 69 communities. This innovative approach, supported by UNICEF Mumbai, represents a major leap in rural water management technology.These systems reduce grid energy consumption by up to 80 per cent while ensuring 24/7 water availability. The hybrid technology prioritizes solar power and supplements it with grid electricity only when necessary, resulting in potential energy bill reductions of up to 90 per cent.The system's sophistication lies in its loT-enabled infrastructure, Digital flow meters and sensors installed at storage tanks allow Gram Panchayats to monitor and control water distribution remotely, preventing over-extraction and waste.