The solar project at Baghachola village in Barkal upazila in Rangamati is virtually of no use.Photo: STAR

The solar power plant installed by Power Development Board (PDB) at Baghachola village under Barkal upazila in Rangamati at a cost of Tk 8 lakhs is virtually of no use because of lack of proper maintenance.
It was set up there about one year ago under Chittagong Hill Tracts Solar Photovoltaic Electrification Project (CHTSPVEP) to supply power and safe water among households.
The technology does not benefit the villagers allegedly due to lack of maintenance by PDB officials, locals told this correspondent during a visit.
Three other such plants were also installed in remote areas where safe water and power are dreams of poor hill people. Their fate is unknown.
Former deputy minister for CHT affairs Moni Swapan Dewan inaugurated the project on October 12, 2006 during four-party alliance government.
About Tk 4 lakh is being spent for salary of 29 staff engaged for their maintenance, sources said.
Rahim Afroza Renewable Energy Limited provided the technical support in implementing the project, sources at PDB's CHT rural electrification project (CHTREP) office said.
The plant at Baghachola has 30 solar modules (SM) with a capacity to produce 60 kilowatt power to supply power and safe water.
But the water supplied from the plant is 'absolutely unsafe for drinking', not to speak of power, the locals said. It supplies water only to a Buddist temple there through a deep tube well, they said.
Initially, it was planned that about 200 households water and power from the plant, they said. There are 40 families in Baghachhola village.
The plant is virtually lying idle and due to lack of management, villagers alleged.
The government took the initiative to install small solar power plants to ensure safe water and electricity in CHT as the two things are major problems for hill people.
The villagers said that they could get water, power for domestic use and also for irrigation herd the plant been properly maintained.
“We procure drinking water from another tube well nearby as the water supplied from the deep tube well (under the project) is unfit for drinking”, said Bodhipriya Mohathero, chief monk of Baghachola Gaynadoy Buddha Bihar.
“We need power also,'' Bodhipriya said.
He said there was a plan to construct a big water reservoir near the plant to supply pipeline water to all the villagers. “But all went in vain”.
“No body from PDB came to see it since its installation”, he said.
Mintu Bikash Chakma of Baghachola village said, “I do not think a big technology is needed to supply water to a temple. We (villagers) will be benefited if the authorities take steps to provide pipeline water. There is good scope to supply electrify to the village from this solar technology, he added.
Octogenarian Palokya Chakma said the plant raised great hopes among people including school children who dreamt of reading in rooms lighter with electricity. But nothing happened.
Project Director of CHTREP, Uga Pru Marma, said the technology is capable to supply 20,000 to 30,000 litres of water per hour. He said each SM can produce 1.8 kilowatt (kw) electricity.
Uga Pru however claimed that the plant was installed only for water supply to the temple on the basis of demand of villagers.
“It will be lengthy process if we want to fulfill demands of villagers as we have to send a proposal to the head office”.
It can not be said whether it will be approved or not, he said.