Gujarat's Jyotigram Yojana scheme is delivering round-the-clock electricity to more than 18,065 villages and over 16,000 rural settlements across the state, triggering measurable economic and social change for farmers, dairy operators, and students alike. On 22 September 2026, beneficiaries from across rural Gujarat credited the scheme with fundamentally altering daily life — from enabling late-night study sessions to keeping milk-chilling equipment running without interruption.

What the Scheme Has Built

According to Shalini Agrawal, Managing Director of Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL), the infrastructure behind the scheme is substantial. More than 78,000 km of new power lines were laid, around 18,700 transformers were installed, and new sub-stations were commissioned across the state to ensure stable, quality supply to every covered settlement.

'A massive task has been accomplished to provide reliable electricity supply to 18,065 villages and more than 16,000 rural settlements in Gujarat through the Jyotigram Yojana,' Agrawal said.

Dairy Sector Sees Direct Gains

Prakashbhai Desai, a dairy cooperative operator, said uninterrupted power has transformed operations that were previously crippled by outages. Equipment including milk-chilling machines and fat-testing machines now run smoothly, reducing losses for both the cooperative and cattle rearers who depend on it.

'In the past, the erratic power supply caused great inconvenience, leading to significant losses for us and the cattle rearers. However, the government's Jyotigram Yojana has brought immense benefits,' Desai said.

Rural Residents on the Change

Ashaben Sankhla, a beneficiary from Banaskantha district, said the scheme has effectively brought rural Gujarat's electricity supply on par with urban centres. 'This transformation is due to the Gujarat government's Jyotigram Yojana, under which round-the-clock power is being provided to rural regions. Previously, villagers faced significant hardships due to power outages, and operating electricity-dependent businesses was extremely difficult,' she said.

For students, the impact is equally tangible. Sanjaybhai Raval, a student from a rural village, noted that 24-hour supply has made studying after dark a routine possibility. 'Previously, our village faced a shortage of electricity, which made studying difficult. Now, under the Gujarat government's Jyotigram Yojana, we receive 24-hour electricity, allowing us to study late into the night,' he said.

Wider Significance

Rural electrification has long been a policy priority in India, but consistent round-the-clock supply — as opposed to mere connectivity — has remained elusive in many states. Gujarat's Jyotigram Yojana is frequently cited as one of the earlier and more comprehensive state-level models for achieving this distinction. This comes amid continued national debate over the gap between electrification coverage data and actual hours of supply reaching end-users in rural areas. The scheme's infrastructure investment — 78,000 km of new lines and 18,700 transformers — suggests a capital-intensive but durable approach. How it is maintained and expanded over the coming years will determine whether the gains reported by beneficiaries become a permanent baseline rather than a seasonal improvement.