Socio-economic impacts of rural electrification

Abstract

Electricity is very important in uplifting rural socio-economic conditions from poverty lines. Its application in rural projects aimed at integrated infrastructure development and poverty alleviation. Well planned, carefully targeted and effectively implemented rural electrification programs provide enormous benefits to rural people. In 100% electrification of the country with a massive investment, it is important to investigate the effectiveness and the impact on the rural areas and come up with suitable solutions to maximize the benefits. Therefore, in this research the impacts of grid electricity on sustainable rural development were carefully analyzed from electricity consumption data and a detail questionnaire survey. The most effective benefit from access to electricity is better quality lighting, savings on fuel, improved security, clean and hazard free environment, extended evenings and ability to study at night. Rural electrification has a significant impact on the quality of life of the rural people, which brings them closer to the comforts enjoyed by the urban people. Increased household income due to extended hours of working causes the economic development of the country. Impact on rural to urban migration and the improvement in quality of life is considerable. However, rural electrification does not have a considerable impact on the nurturing, growth or diversification of income generating small commercial! industrial activities.