India
-Oneindia Staff
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann launches an underground electricity wiring project in village Satoj, aiming to make Punjab the first state with pole-free villages. The pilot shifts all overhead lines below ground, targeting safer power supply, fewer crop fires and reduced outages. The initiative, described as the “Satoj Model”, is projected as the base for a “Roshan Punjab”.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann launched the ‘Satoj Model’ in village Satoj, an ₹8 crore pilot project to shift electricity wires underground, aiming to make Punjab the first state with pole-free villages and enhance power supply safety.
Under the pilot, 384 electricity poles are being removed in Satoj, with cables routed underground without digging roads. The project cost is around ₹8 crore. Bhagwant Singh Mann says this fulfils the Aam Aadmi Party Government’s promise to create wire-free villages and claims it will also remove disputes around placing electricity poles in rural areas.
Punjab underground electricity project starts with ‘Satoj Model’ for pole-free villages
Addressing residents at the launch, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Today is a historic day for the villages of Punjab as a major project to free villages from the web of electricity wires and unnecessary poles is being launched from here. Under this pilot project, all overhead electricity lines in Satoj will be shifted underground at a cost of around ₹8 crore. This is the first-ever project in the country, and with this initiative Punjab will emerge as a model project for the entire nation.”
Bhagwant Singh Mann explains that the “Satoj Model” is designed as a template for other states. The Chief Minister calls it a roadmap for both rural and urban areas and links it to the idea of a modern, safe and visually cleaner Punjab. According to Bhagwant Singh Mann, the project is meant to directly benefit farmers and common residents.
Technical scope of Punjab underground electricity project in village Satoj
Detailing the technical scope, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Under this project, seven kilometers of High Tension lines, 9.5 kilometers of Low Tension lines, and 41 kilometers of service cables connecting 800 consumers’ homes will be laid underground. All High Tension lines connected from the 66 KV Grid Satoj to the village through three 11 KV feeders and linked to 28 transformers will go underground. Thereafter, in a historic initiative, all Low Tension lines from the 28 transformers to the meter boxes will also be laid underground.”
The Chief Minister further said, “The cables connecting meter boxes to all households will likewise be undergrounded, due to which 384 unnecessary electricity poles will be removed. A special feature of the project is that roads will not need to be dug up for laying underground cables because trenchless drilling machines will be used to install underground pipes. These pipes will be laid three feet beneath the ground, which will prove to be a major boon for common people.”
Key technical details of the Punjab underground electricity project in Satoj are given below for clarity.
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| High Tension lines | 7 km underground |
| Low Tension lines | 9.5 km underground |
| Service cables | 41 km, serving 800 homes |
| Feeders | Three 11 KV from 66 KV Grid Satoj |
| Transformers connected | 28 units |
| Poles to be removed | 384 |
| Depth of underground pipes | Three feet |
| Project cost | Around ₹8 crore |
Safety, reliability and aesthetics drive Punjab underground electricity project
Highlighting the risks with overhead infrastructure, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Electricity poles and overhead wires pose the risk of electrocution to animals and people, especially children. Accidents frequently occur when tractors, combine harvesters, and other vehicles come into contact with overhead wires. Similarly, incidents of crop fires lead to significant losses for farmers. Rain, storms and strong winds damage poles and wires, disrupting electricity supply and causing financial losses to the power corporation.”
Calling it beneficial for residents and the power system, the Chief Minister added, “The network of poles and wires also affects the aesthetic appearance of villages. With High Tension and Low Tension lines shifted underground, electricity leakage will be eliminated, reducing transmission and distribution losses. Villages will receive uninterrupted power supply, underground wiring will significantly reduce accidents, incidents of crop fires caused by power lines will be prevented, and rain and strong winds will no longer disrupt electricity supply. Removal of unnecessary poles and tangled wires will further enhance the beauty and appearance of villages.”
Bhagwant Singh Mann connects the Punjab underground electricity project to past tragedies in Satoj. Recalling incidents, the Chief Minister said, “Three young men from this village had lost their lives due to electric shocks involving combine harvesters. They were the only breadwinners for their families. This project is a tribute to those young men because such tragic incidents should never occur in future.”
The Chief Minister further said, “Today’s initiative is directly connected to the lives of ordinary people. These electricity poles will become history in the coming days.” Bhagwant Singh Mann says the decision to begin from Satoj is personal and symbolic, as Satoj is the Chief Minister’s birthplace.
Emphasising the long-term importance of the Punjab underground electricity project, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the effort will be remembered for years. “This project is being launched from my birthplace and will be written in golden letters in the history of Punjab. From this village, the Punjab Government has launched a project that no other state in the country has even thought about yet. This project became possible because my dream is becoming a reality today. This project was conceived years ago.”
Punjab underground electricity project linked with digital reforms and governance
Describing wider governance changes, the Chief Minister said, “The ‘Satoj Model’ will be known across the country for giving major reprieve to people in villages and cities. The world is talking about settlements on Mars, whereas our people were still entangled in issues of streets and drains. The Punjab Government has embarked on a digital revolution in Punjab. RTO services have been digitized and the Easy Registry system has been implemented with simplified language.”
Explaining registry reforms connected to this broader push, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further said, “Earlier, registry documents used to be prepared in difficult language that ordinary people could not understand, forcing them to run from office to office. However, now people can get their registry done from any Tehsil within the district.” The Chief Minister links these measures with efforts to make public services simpler and more accessible.
Punjab underground electricity project launched alongside strict sacrilege law and welfare schemes
Turning to religious and legal matters, Bhagwant Singh Mann refers to the sacrilege law passed by the Punjab Government. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Punjab Government has enacted a strict law against sacrilege, with provisions for punishment up to life imprisonment, to ensure that no one dares to disrespect Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in future. The Almighty has bestowed me with the service to serve humanity through the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act 2026, which stipulates harsher punishment for sacrilege.”
The Chief Minister added, “Previous rulers neither had the intent nor the will to enact a law to check sacrilege, because of which desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji became a regular feature during their regimes. However, the Act passed by the Punjab Government will put an end to this because no one will ever dare to indulge in this unpardonable offence.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further asserted, “The present Punjab Government is fully committed to the sanctity and respect of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and to ensuring strict action against anyone involved in sacrilegious acts. The government remains deeply committed to Sikh values and public sentiments. This land has witnessed times that bruised the psyche of the entire Sikh Sangat. The Punjab Government has now enacted this law to ensure that such incidents do not happen in future. Only some selected people, who think they themselves are the panth, are opposing it because their hands are drenched in sacrilege incidents.”
Outlining health coverage, Bhagwant Singh Mann highlights Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna while discussing the Punjab underground electricity project event. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna has been launched under which health cards are being issued to all 65 lakh families in Punjab. Every family is entitled to free treatment up to ₹10 lakh. More than 30 lakh beneficiaries have already received health cards, while 1.65 lakh people have received free treatment under this scheme. I urge people to take maximum benefit of these cards.”
On financial support for women, the Chief Minister further said, “The Punjab Government has started the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna under which every woman will be entitled to ₹1,000 per month and women belonging to Scheduled Castes will receive ₹1,500 per month. Funds will be directly transferred into bank accounts and women already receiving social security pensions will also be eligible. Nearly 97% of women in Punjab are expected to benefit from the scheme, for which the Punjab Government has allocated ₹9,300 crore in the budget.”
Key figures related to schemes discussed alongside the Punjab underground electricity project are listed below.
| Scheme / Law | Key Provision |
|---|---|
| Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna | 65 lakh families, free treatment up to ₹10 lakh |
| Health cards issued | Over 30 lakh beneficiaries |
| Beneficiaries treated | 1.65 lakh people receive free treatment |
| Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna | ₹1,000 per month for every woman |
| SC women benefit | ₹1,500 per month |
| Coverage estimate | About 97% of women in Punjab |
| Budget allocation | ₹9,300 crore |
| Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act 2026 | Life imprisonment possible for sacrilege |
Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Tarunpreet Singh Sond attend the ceremony, along with other officials and local residents. Their presence signals political backing for the Punjab underground electricity project and related programmes highlighted by Bhagwant Singh Mann during the event.
Sharing updates on X about the Punjab underground electricity project, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “Taking another historic step towards building the ” ‘Roshan Punjab’ of our dreams, today an ultra-modern project to shift electricity wires underground has been launched in village Satoj. This initiative will not only enhance the appearance of villages and cities, but will also provide complete protection to urban and rural areas from power cuts and accidents caused during storms and strong winds.”
The Chief Minister’s post on X further read: “With this project, homes, commercial establishments and agricultural fields will receive uninterrupted, safe and more efficient electricity supply, thereby improving the quality of life of every citizen. This initiative is a key part of our larger vision to restore Punjab as a truly ‘Rangla Punjab’, where transparency and high-quality work are being ensured at every level. The AAP government is working day and night with complete dedication for your service and the progress of Punjab,” the post concluded.
The Punjab underground electricity project in Satoj anchors a broader push that links safer power supply, digital services, stricter sacrilege laws and welfare schemes. Bhagwant Singh Mann positions the Satoj initiative as both a personal commitment and a state-level model, with the government emphasising safety, reliability and social support across Punjab.
