In Short : Pune district will solarise around 3,300 anganwadis under the ₹10 crore ‘Harit Anganwadi’ scheme. Funded through the District Planning Committee and CSR, the initiative aims to ensure uninterrupted power and reduce electricity costs. With over 1,100 centres already equipped, the plan will cover remaining sites, enhancing early education infrastructure with reliable, eco-friendly energy solutions.
In Detail : Pune district has launched a ₹10 crore initiative called the ‘Harit Anganwadi’ scheme to equip nearly 3,300 anganwadi centres with solar power systems. The project aims to provide consistent electricity to these centres, improving their functionality and ensuring better services for children and staff.
Currently, around 1,100 anganwadis in the district already have operational solar systems. The new plan focuses on covering the remaining 985 centres using funds from the District Planning Committee, while corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions will support the rest of the installations.
Each solar unit, costing approximately ₹1 lakh, is designed to offer reliable lighting during the day. This is especially important for anganwadis in rural areas that face frequent power outages due to limited infrastructure and reliance on local panchayat electricity grids.
According to Pune Zilla Parishad CEO Gajanan Patil, the transition to solar power will ensure uninterrupted operations at anganwadis. This move supports early childhood education, health, and nutrition programmes, which are often disrupted due to inconsistent electricity supply.
The District Planning Committee allocates 3% of its annual budget specifically to women and child welfare. The ‘Harit Anganwadi’ project falls under this mandate, using public and private funding to achieve its objective of making all centres energy-resilient.
Through this solar initiative, Pune is promoting sustainability while improving the learning environment for children. The project also reflects a broader commitment to combining clean energy solutions with grassroots welfare programmes for long-term community development.
