Sukma: Emerging from decades of darkness, Gogunda, a remote village perched nearly 650 meters atop a steep hill in the Sukma district of Chhattisgarh, has received electricity for the first time since Independence. The village, once under the dominance of Maoists for several decades, is now witnessing a wave of transformation as power supply finally reaches its homes.
#WATCH | Sukma, Chhattisgarh: Gogunda village, formerly a Naxal-affected area, gets electricity for the first time after Independence pic.twitter.com/07s6nCfRl6
— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2026
Ensuring electricity to Gogunda is being seen as more than just a basic facility; it marks the beginning of a broader social transformation. Bijapur Collector Amit Kumar noted that development gained pace after the establishment of a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in the area. Since then, a road has been constructed, connecting the once-inaccessible village, and electricity lines have been successfully extended to the former Maoist stronghold.
He further stated that construction has begun under good governance complexes, including primary schools, Anganwadi centres, Public Distribution System (PDS) shops and community halls. These facilities are expected to be completed within two months. A small local market is also being developed following villagers’ demands, as residents earlier had to travel long distances to larger towns for essential goods. Regular health camps have also been conducted, addressing basic medical concerns in the area.
Additional Superintendent of Police Rohit Shah said the region will now benefit significantly from both administrative and developmental initiatives. He noted that Gogunda had long served as a shelter for Maoists, but the establishment of a permanent security camp led to road construction and the eventual electrification of the village, paving the way for sustained governance and growth.
Villagers expressed that they are witnessing a fundamental change in their lives. Many said they had lived in darkness for decades, relying on kerosene lamps and torches. With the setting up of the CRPF camp, roads, water supply and electricity have reached the village for the first time.
According to officials, the turning point came with the deployment of the CRPF’s 74th Battalion. The presence of security forces helped establish an atmosphere of trust, enabling development work in the difficult hilly terrain. For the first time, administrative machinery gained consistent access to Gogunda under police protection.
Subsequently, the district administration implemented several welfare measures, including the construction of school buildings, Anganwadi centres, ration shops, drinking water facilities and reliable power supply infrastructure. Through regular coordination, remote villages like Gogunda are now being integrated into the mainstream.
For residents who spent generations without electricity, the arrival of electric light has brought renewed hope. Officials believe it will improve educational opportunities for children, ease domestic responsibilities, and create new prospects for youth. Village elders said they never imagined witnessing such a change in their lifetime.
The people of Gogunda expressed gratitude to the district administration, police and the CRPF 74th Battalion, calling the electrification not just a development milestone but a symbol of dignity, safety and progress.
(With inputs from ANI)
