Free Electricity for 90% of Punjab Households as Part of Roshan Punjab Project

Punjab is set to become a "no-power-cut" state by next year, as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government launches a major ₹5,000-crore initiative to modernise its electricity infrastructure. On Wednesday, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, along with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, inaugurated the Roshan Punjab project, laying the foundation for a state-of-the-art power transmission and distribution network.

Kejriwal said the project would fulfil Punjab's long-standing dream of 24-hour electricity supply. "The AAP government is strengthening the electricity system in Punjab. Soon, every household will have access to uninterrupted power," he said. The initiative includes laying 25,000 kilometres of new cables, installing 8,000 transformers, constructing 77 new substations, and overhauling 200 existing ones. Once completed, the entire system will be monitored from a central control room using SCADA technology, eliminating the need for field inspections.

Free Electricity for Citizens

The AAP government has already provided free electricity to 90 per cent of Punjab households. Each family currently receives 600 units of free electricity every two months. Kejriwal highlighted how farmers previously had to irrigate fields between 1 am and 4 am due to limited electricity, but now have access to eight hours of daytime supply. Industrial electricity rates in Punjab are also among the lowest in the country.

Modernising the Power Network

Kejriwal noted that the state's transmission and distribution networks had been neglected for 75 years, resulting in corroded wires and overloaded transformers. "Many transformers were burning daily, and a large-scale upgrade was necessary," he said. The new project aims to fully modernise the power infrastructure, ensuring reliable 24-hour electricity across Punjab within a year.

Support for Flood Victims

Kejriwal also addressed the recent floods in Punjab, which affected around 3,500 schools, 1,500 Mohalla Clinics, crops, homes, and livestock, resulting in about 60 deaths. AAP MP Dr Ashok Mittal announced that one child from each affected family would be offered a job at his Lovely Professional University, with 35 families having accepted the offer so far. Kejriwal emphasised that this is a recurring support initiative rather than a one-off donation.

Visionary Governance Recognised

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann praised Kejriwal's vision, stating it forced traditional political parties to prioritise issues such as electricity, health, and education in their election manifestos. Mann noted that the state had restarted coal supply from the Pachwara mine, purchased the Goindwal Power Plant from GVK Power, and renamed it after the third Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Amar Das Ji, providing significant economic relief.

Comprehensive Reforms

Under the AAP government, Punjab has also tackled unemployment, providing over 55,000 government jobs transparently based on merit. The state has launched a strict campaign against drugs, expanded quality education through Schools of Eminence, and strengthened healthcare by opening 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics, soon to reach 1,000, serving 17.5 million people with free medicines.

Mann emphasised that these initiatives are unprecedented and highlight the AAP government's commitment to modern governance, transparency, and citizen welfare. Cabinet ministers and MPs were present at the launch event.