What’s even more exciting is that this model has captured the attention of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), promising a brighter future for rural India.
From Dropout to Innovator
Kedar Prasad Mahto hails from Bayang, a remote village in Jharkhand. Despite being a college dropout and having limited resources, he set out to solve a critical issue in his community—access to affordable electricity.
His dream was to design a plant that could light his village streets and temple without any cost, knowing that agriculture is the backbone of their livelihood.
Bamboo Hydel Plant
In 2022, Mahto’s dream became a reality when he created a 5 KVA mini-hydel plant on a small village river. This ingenious plant generates electricity that lights up Bayang, completely free of cost. It’s a testament to what determination and resourcefulness can achieve.
Harnessing Local Resources
With an investment of around three lakhs from his own pocket, Mahto built the mini hydel power plant. It has been producing 5 KVA power for a year now.
Remarkably, it has the potential to generate 30 to 40 KVA power, but Mahto intentionally chose not to tap into its full capacity. Constructed using easily available bamboo sticks and a self-made turbine and generator, the plant is a shining example of sustainable and cost-effective technology.
A Glimpse into the Future
The future looks bright for Mahto’s bamboo-powered innovation. A team from NABARD visited the site to assess the feasibility of replicating such micro hydel plants in other rural areas.
Upendra Kumar, Deputy Development Manager of NABARD, expressed their interest, saying, “We are evaluating if this hydel plant would be viable in providing power to village farmers for cultivation.”
They are currently reviewing the technical and financial aspects, with Mahto’s estimate suggesting that a 2MW capacity hydel plant could be set up for approximately ₹2 crores.
Conclusion
Kedar Prasad Mahto’s journey from being a college dropout to an eco-friendly innovator is truly inspiring. His bamboo hydel plant not only provides free electricity to his village but also holds the promise of transforming the lives of countless others in rural India.
As we look to the future, it’s stories like these that remind us of the incredible power of determination, resourcefulness, and eco-conscious solutions to light up a brighter tomorrow for all.
