Bhagwant Mann Govt Launches Underground Electricity Wiring Project from Satoj, Bringing Major Relief to Punjab’s Farmers Through Pole-Free Villages Initiative

May 21, 2026

Sangrur: Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday launched a first-of-its-kind underground electricity wiring project from his native village Satoj in Sangrur district, aiming to transform Punjab into the country’s first state with pole-free villages. The ambitious pilot project is expected to provide major relief to farmers and rural residents by eliminating dangerous overhead wires that often cause crop fires, electrocution accidents and frequent power disruptions.

ਸਾਡੇ ਸੁਪਨਿਆਂ ਦੇ ‘ਰੋਸ਼ਨ ਪੰਜਾਬ’ ਦੀ ਸਿਰਜਣਾ ਵੱਲ ਇੱਕ ਹੋਰ ਇਤਿਹਾਸਿਕ ਕਦਮ ਪੁੱਟਦਿਆਂ ਹੋਇਆਂ, ਅੱਜ ਪਿੰਡ ਸਤੌਜ ਵਿਖੇ ਬਿਜਲੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਤਾਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਅੰਡਰਗ੍ਰਾਊਂਡ ਕਰਨ ਦੇ ਅਤਿ-ਆਧੁਨਿਕ ਪ੍ਰੋਜੈਕਟ ਦੀ ਸ਼ੁਰੂਆਤ ਕੀਤੀ ਗਈ ਹੈ। ਇਹ ਉਪਰਾਲਾ ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਪਿੰਡਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਹਿਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਦਿੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਹੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਸੰਵਾਰੇਗਾ, ਸਗੋਂ ਸਾਡੇ ਸ਼ਹਿਰੀ ਤੇ ਪੇਂਡੂ ਖੇਤਰਾਂ… pic.twitter.com/5PWIlIDpaf

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) May 19, 2026

Addressing a gathering during the launch event, the Chief Minister described the initiative as a historic step towards building a modern and safer Punjab. He said all overhead electricity lines in Satoj village would be shifted underground at a cost of nearly ₹8 crore under the pilot project. Mann stated that the “Satoj Model” would become a roadmap for the entire country and claimed that no other state had yet undertaken such a project on this scale.

384 Electricity Poles to Be Removed Under ₹8 Crore Pilot Project

Under the project, nearly 41 kilometers of underground service cables connecting around 800 households will be laid beneath the village. In addition, seven kilometers of High Tension lines and 9.5 kilometers of Low Tension lines will also be shifted underground. The government said all High Tension lines connected through three 11 KV feeders and linked to 28 transformers would be undergrounded, while Low Tension lines from transformers to meter boxes and household connections would also be laid beneath the surface.

The Chief Minister further announced that 384 electricity poles would be removed from the village once the project is completed. He highlighted that trenchless drilling machines would be used to install underground pipes nearly three feet below the ground, ensuring that roads would not need to be dug up during the process.

Farmers to Benefit from Safer and Uninterrupted Electricity Supply

Bhagwant Mann said the initiative would significantly reduce accidents caused by overhead electricity wires, especially incidents involving tractors, combine harvesters and animals. He added that crop fires triggered by falling or damaged wires during storms and strong winds had caused huge losses to farmers over the years. According to the Chief Minister, underground wiring would ensure uninterrupted electricity supply, reduce transmission losses and improve the overall appearance of villages by removing tangled wires and unnecessary poles.

Recalling tragic incidents from Satoj village, the Chief Minister became emotional while mentioning that three young villagers had previously lost their lives due to electric shocks involving combine harvesters. He said the project was a tribute to those young men and would help ensure such accidents do not occur in the future.

Punjab Govt Also Highlights Welfare and Digital Reform Initiatives

During the event, Mann also highlighted several welfare initiatives launched by the Punjab government, including the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna under which health cards are being issued to nearly 65 lakh families with free treatment up to ₹10 lakh per family. He further spoke about the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, under which eligible women in Punjab will receive monthly financial assistance directly into their bank accounts.

The Chief Minister also referred to the government’s digital reforms, including simplified registry services and digitized RTO facilities aimed at reducing inconvenience for the public. Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Tarunpreet Singh Sond, along with several senior officials and local residents, were present on the occasion.