Greening the Drylands: Bundelkhand Leads Sustainable Revolution

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Bundelkhand Greens with Khet Talab Yojana and Solar Power Push

By TRH News Desk

Lucknow, April 10: In a region once synonymous with drought and despair, Bundelkhand is scripting a remarkable turnaround. Through a blend of traditional wisdom and cutting-edge innovation, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government is driving a dual revolution — conserving water and harnessing the sun — to transform the arid heartland into a beacon of sustainability.

At the center of this transformation is the Khet Talab Yojana, a flagship initiative to promote water conservation. “Under this scheme, farmers receive financial aid to dig ponds on their lands — ensuring water availability for irrigation and livestock even during the harshest dry spells,” said the Uttar Pradesh government in a media statement.

With subsidies ranging from 50 to 75 per cent, the state has already seen the creation of around 5,000 such ponds, turning once-barren fields into productive farmland.

Simultaneously, Bundelkhand is emerging as a powerhouse in solar energy generation, with vast tracts of sun-drenched land being converted into green energy hubs.

“Spearheaded by the Uttar Pradesh Solar Energy Policy 2022, the initiative aligns with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision to make clean, affordable power a cornerstone of rural development and economic growth,” added the state government.

A senior state official said that “water in the soil, and sunlight in the sky — these are Bundelkhand’s new assets.” We are leveraging both to build a sustainable future, he added.

The region’s solar journey is ambitious. A massive 800 MW plant is taking shape on 3,400 acres in Chitrakoot, while Jhansi and Lalitpur are also joining the clean energy wave with 600 MW and 1,400 million units of annual output respectively. Kanpur City and Kanpur Dehat will contribute an additional 110 MW.

“The most groundbreaking idea is the plan to convert the Bundelkhand Expressway into India’s first solar-powered expressway. With 14 solar parks across 2,447 acres, the expressway will host 450 MW of clean energy capacity, at an estimated investment of ₹2,000 crore,” added the official.

Seventeen companies, including industry giant Tata Power, have already shown keen interest in this green corridor. “Through the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, homeowners can install rooftop solar systems with subsidized loans, while farmers are benefitting from over 76,000 solar irrigation pumps distributed under the PM-KUSUM Yojana,” said the state official.

Plans are also underway to solarize all government tube wells and rural agricultural feeders, ensuring that solar energy reaches the grassroots.

The efforts aren’t limited to Bundelkhand. “A statewide solar push is gaining momentum, with cities like Ayodhya and Noida being developed into solar-powered urban centers. The Chief Minister’s target: generate at least 10 per cent of Uttar Pradesh’s electricity from solar and scale it up year by year,” added the official.

With the state’s electricity demand growing at 16% annually and expected to exceed 53,000 MW within 2–3 years, solar energy isn’t just an alternative — it’s a necessity. “From arid lands to solar farms, Bundelkhand is no longer just a symbol of resilience. It’s becoming India’s green energy epicenter, illuminating a new path for rural transformation and climate leadership,” added the official.

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