End of lantern age in 8 Saran villages

CHHAPRA: In what could be music to the ears of residents of eight villages of the island-shaped Aquilpur panchayat in Saran district, the construction of a new power substation at Ramdas Chak, which will supply electricity to these villages, has been completed.
Ramdas Chak and seven other villages of the panchayat – Aquilpur, Salhalim, Dudhiya, Bangalapar, Batrouli, Pakaulia, and Babhangawan – had been electrified for the first time since the country’s independence in December last year.These villages had been getting power supply from Shitalpur grid.
Santosh Kumar, electrical executive engineer (supply, Chhapra East), North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited, said the new power substation at Ramdas Chak would soon start supplying power to these villages.
Sources said the new substation at Ramdas Chak would be connected with six feeders – one feeder for Aquilpur, two feeders for diara areas of Danapur, one feeder for diara areas of Sonepur and two feeders for agriculture purpose.
The construction of the substation has given villagers reasons to cheer. Ram Janam Singh, a resident of Pakaulia village, said, “Our dream has finally come true. The electrification of the village is a major relief for us.”
Sudarshan Rai of Ram Das Chak and Janaki Devi of Babhangawan villages echoed Singh’s views. “I can now offer electrical fan to the guests visiting my house instead of asking them to sleep in open air,” Janki said.
Amit Kumar, another local, said electricity would prevent migration of people from these villages. “Villagers can now use power for farming and other purposes,” he added.