HT Correspondent
DHUBRI, Feb 12: In a milestone for rural development, the border village of Choto Pokalagi under Agomoni tehsil in Dhubri district has received electricity for the first time after India’s Independence. The breakthrough comes after decades of darkness for the village’s 120+ households, made possible through a unique technical collaboration between Assam and West Bengal.
In a significant revelation, Rakesh Saha, Assistant General Manager (AGM) of APDCL Dhubri, stated that the power for Choto Pokalagi is being sourced from the West Bengal Electricity Board (WBSEDCL). According to Saha, providing electricity from the Assam grid was deemed “technically non-feasible” due to the village’s isolated geographical location.
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To overcome this, APDCL entered into a strategic agreement to purchase power from the neighbouring state’s utility, ensuring reliable supply for the border community. This cross-border purchase arrangement is part of a broader effort to electrify “pockets” along the interstate boundary where local grid extension is infeasible.
The project was executed by the Agomoni Electrical Sub-Division (ESD) under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). To manage the load for the village’s 120+ households, three transformers have been commissioned — a 63 KVA and 25 KVA transformer serving approximately 85 households in the northern sector and one 63 KVA transformer dedicated to nearly 35 households in the southern sector.
The village, with around 120 households, celebrated the arrival of electricity in their homes. For students and small farmers of Choto Pokalagi, this marks the end of reliance on kerosene and limited solar lamps.
The arrival of electricity is expected to trigger socio-economic growth in the region. Local students, who previously struggled to study after sunset will now have access to reliable lighting. “It has been over 75 years since Independence and seeing a light bulb glow in our homes feels like a new beginning,” said a village elder.
The successful electrification of Choto Pokalagi is being viewed as a model for other remote border villages. By prioritising technical feasibility over administrative boundaries, APDCL has ensured that this last-mile village of Dhubri joins the mainstream digital and economic landscape.
