🌞 Odisha Solar Water Pump Schemes 2025: Full Review, Benefits & Challenges - PSP Studio Odia

 

Odisha is leading the way in rural electrification and sustainable water access through a range of Solar Water Pump Schemes. With thousands of installations under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and PM-KUSUM Yojana, the state is empowering farmers and villagers with clean and reliable water supply — even in off-grid areas.

✅ 1. Solar-Powered Drinking Water Systems (Under JJM)

To solve the issue of clean drinking water in remote villages, Odisha has installed over 13,000 solar-powered drinking water systems on tube-wells. Each system includes a 1 HP solar pump that lifts groundwater into a 5,000-liter tank and supplies it through pipes and standposts.

• 🔹 Over 10,235 units installed under JJM by 2020.
• 🔹 Odisha was awarded for highest solar water pump installations in India.
• 🔹 Effective in tribal belts & water-scarce areas.

However, reports show that some systems turned defunct after the 5-year maintenance period ended, raising the need for better long-term upkeep strategies.

Odisha Solar Water Pump Schemes 2025: Full Review, Benefits & Challenges - PSP Studio Odia

✅ 2. Solar Irrigation Pumps (Under PM-KUSUM)

To empower farmers in off-grid rural areas, Odisha is actively implementing the PM-KUSUM Component B scheme for Standalone Solar Irrigation Pumps. The state invited bids in 2025 for 10,000 new solar pump installations from 1 HP to 7.5 HP capacity.

• ✅ High-capacity pumps for agricultural irrigation.
• ✅ Vendors must use MNRE/BIS certified components.
• ✅ All pumps come with 5 years warranty and O&M.
• ✅ Minimum of 4 service centers required per vendor in Odisha.

✅ 3. Special Focus Scheme: Sourajalanidhi

The Sourajalanidhi Scheme is targeted at small and marginal farmers who own at least 0.5 acres of land with a dug well. The scheme provides 0.5 HP solar pumps either free or at subsidized rates.

While helpful, the scale of implementation is small — only around 230 pumps were distributed by FY 2019–20. Larger-scale irrigation support would require stronger upgrades under PM-KUSUM.

Odisha Solar Water Pump Schemes 2025: Full Review, Benefits & Challenges - PSP Studio Odia

📈 Performance Highlights

• 🏆 Odisha won national recognition in 2017 for solar water installations.
• 📊 Over 13,000 drinking water solar pumps and 230 irrigation pumps already deployed.
• 💡 Real-time Monitoring Systems (RMS) included in new tenders for better oversight.

⚠️ Challenges Faced

• ❌ Several JJM units stopped working after handover from OREDA to RWSS due to unclear maintenance ownership.
• ⚠️ Limited capacity of 0.5 HP pumps may not suit large farmland irrigation.
• 📉 Poor awareness among farmers about subsidy schemes and eligibility.

💬 Human Touch: Why It Matters

Imagine a tribal family in Mayurbhanj, walking miles for water. With one solar pump installed in their village, life changes. Children go to school, mothers save time, and the community grows healthier. This is more than a scheme — it's hope powered by the sun.

But when systems break down and no one's responsible, that hope fades. That's why robust maintenance and community training are as vital as the pump itself.

Odisha Solar Water Pump Schemes 2025: Full Review, Benefits & Challenges - PSP Studio Odia - AI Image

📌 Recommendations

• 🔧 Enforce strict post-handover maintenance protocols (beyond 5 years).
• 📢 Boost outreach in rural belts about subsidies and application processes.
• 🌱 Expand irrigation pump schemes with larger capacities.

📜 Sources & Official Links

🧑‍💼 About the Author

Parthasarathi Panda (M.Com) is a digital content creator, Blogger, YouTuber, and influencer from Odisha. He writes to empower students, farmers, and digital learners across India.

Odisha Solar Water Pump Schemes 2025: Full Review, Benefits & Challenges - PSP Studio Odia - AI Image

🔧 4. Recent Developments & Tender Updates (2025)

In January 2025, the Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) floated a major tender under PM-KUSUM Component B for installing around 10,000 standalone solar pumps (1 HP to 7.5 HP). These systems are intended for farmers in off-grid locations who rely on groundwater irrigation through field wells.

• 📅 Tender issued: January 2025
• ⏳ Bids closed: Early February 2025
• 💼 Scope: Design, supply, installation, commissioning, and 5 years of O&M

As part of the eligibility and operational guidelines:

• ✅ Vendors must offer a comprehensive 5-year warranty.
• ✅ Performance Bank Guarantees (PBGs) are required for accountability.
• ✅ All systems must be integrated with a Remote Monitoring System (RMS) for real-time tracking.
• ✅ OREDA also issued an EOI stating that each OEM must have at least four operational service centers in Odisha for fast and effective maintenance.

📊 Summary Table

Scheme / Component	Pump Size	Beneficiaries / Scope	Placement	Status / Achievements	Concerns
Drinking Water (JJM)	1 HP	Remote villages (drinking water)	Tube-wells	~13,219 installed; award winner	Maintenance lapses post-handover
KUSUM Irrigation Component B	1–7.5 HP	Farmers in off-grid irrigation	Field wells	~10,000 planned installations	OEM compliance, vendor vetting
Sourajalanidhi	0.5 HP	Small-scale farmers	Dug wells	230 by FY 2019–20	Limited coverage, capacity issues

🔍 Key Takeaways & Recommendations

• 💧 Drinking Water Schemes: Improve clarity on post-handover responsibilities between OREDA and RWSS for better long-term maintenance.
• 🚜 Irrigation Pumps: KUSUM has strong potential, but only if vendors meet compliance and service infrastructure commitments, including RMS integration.
• 👨‍🌾 Farmers: While Sourajalanidhi supports small farmers, they should be educated to also benefit from KUSUM Component B for larger-scale needs.
• 🏛️ Policy Makers: Strengthen post-warranty protocols, enforce service center mandates, and expand beneficiary outreach in local languages.

📌 Verified Sources