Tag: Lokesh Chandra IAS highlights transparent governance for solar schemes

The state records 45,911 solar agricultural pump installations in one month, a milestone shaped by the leadership of Shri Devendra Fadnavis and the implementation strength of MSEDCL under CMD Shri Lokesh Chandra, earning formal recognition from Guinness World Records.

Maharashtra has entered the global spotlight with an achievement that reshapes the future of clean irrigation in India. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis and the execution stewardship of Shri Lokesh Chandra, Chairman and Managing Director of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), the state successfully installed 45,911 off-grid solar agricultural pumps in a single month, a performance certified by the Guinness World Records.
This feat positions Maharashtra as one of the swiftest, large-scale deployers of solar irrigation in the world and reinforces its commitment to strengthening rural livelihoods through clean energy. The initiative supports India’s broader transition to sustainable irrigation under the PM-KUSUM scheme and the Magel Tyala Saur Krushi Pump Yojana, ensuring farmers receive reliable daytime power without depending on conventional energy sources.

The record-breaking month was the outcome of meticulous planning, disciplined field execution and a farmer-first model adopted by MSEDCL. Installations were prioritised across drought-affected regions, where immediate irrigation access could significantly improve crop stability. Vendors were selected through transparent processes, closely monitored through service-level agreements and required to resolve complaints within three days, allowing farmers to receive uninterrupted assistance.
To make the programme equitable, pump sizes were determined by farm area. Farmers with landholdings of up to 2.5 acres received 3 HP pumps, 5 HP pumps were allocated to holdings of up to 5 acres, and 7 HP pumps supported larger fields. This ensured fair distribution and enhanced productivity across diverse agricultural zones.

Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis said that the achievement strengthens Maharashtra’s role as a leader in farmer-centric clean energy. He emphasised that the rapid rollout provides farmers with dependable irrigation, reduces operating costs and brings long-term resilience to agriculture across the state.
Shri Lokesh Chandra highlighted that the state’s approach combines strong governance, real-time monitoring and a responsive vendor ecosystem. He added that Maharashtra has now adopted a policy in which new agricultural connections are increasingly delivered through off-grid solar pumps, allowing farmers to secure predictable, daytime power supply sustainably.

With more than 7.47 lakh solar pumps already installed and a target of 10.45 lakh, Maharashtra is building one of the world’s largest agricultural solar networks. The model created by MSEDCL demonstrates how structured planning, efficient coordination and community-oriented implementation can deliver transformative outcomes at scale.
By setting a global benchmark, Maharashtra has shown how clean energy and agriculture can advance together, offering a blueprint for other states in India as well as nations across the global south that aim to strengthen food security through renewable solutions.

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