A long wait ends for this Chhattisgarh village as it gets electricity for first time on Jan 23

After a long wait of 77 years since Independence, for the first time, electricity has reached Chilkapalli village of Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh. It took almost 77 years for the village to be illuminated with electricity supply finally on January 23, 2025.

The remote village had remained isolated from development since Independence. For years, they have been living in thatched houses and dependent on kerosene lamps and firewood for livelihood. The community, originally settled in the forests from the British era, was deprived of basic rights and facilities. 

#watch | Bijapur, Chhattisgarh | Chilkapalli village in Bijapur gets electricity for the first time after Independence. pic.twitter.com/OdZkdgf5us

— ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2025

After 77 years, electricity finally reached the village, thanks to the recently elected BJP government’s ‘Niyad Nellnar Scheme’ in Chhattisgarh.

“It is indeed a remarkable moment. I’m happy for the villagers. This is the 6th village under the Niyad Nellnar Scheme. Our effort is to electrify every village,” Bijapur Collector Sambit Mishra said.

#WATCH | Bijapur, Chhattisgarh | Bijapur Collector Sambit Mishra says, "Chilkapalli village recieved electricity on 23rd January. This is the 6th village under the Niyad Nellnar Scheme where we have provided electricity facilities..." https://t.co/MVYFBQU65R pic.twitter.com/HzuGu6qDot

— ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2025

On New Year 2025, at least three other villages had also been electrified in Koriya district, also in Chhattisgarh. Like Chilkapalli villagers, tribals of Tarra, Baser, and Mendra in Koriya district, had to wait for 77 years for electricity to reach their villages.

It is alleged that since these villages are located in remote locations in dense forest patches with no roads, and around 80 km away from the district headquarters, they were never a priority for the administration for decades.