Lighting Up Mannur: A Journey from Darkness to Development

Mannur is a vibrant village surrounded by industries and home to both locals and a large migrant population from various districts and states. Life here, however, had long been overshadowed by darkness after sunset. Wild cows often occupied the village roads at night, causing frequent accidents with industrial vehicles. Added to this were concerns over thefts, women’s safety, children’s education, and the absence of community activities after dark. With unstable electricity supply, working women felt unsafe commuting at night, children struggled to study, and the village’s development remained quietly restricted. 

To address these challenges, Hyundai Glovis and Thuvakkam NGO stepped in with a sustainable solution—installing 175 solar street lights and 4 solar blinkers across Mannur. With the Panchayat’s support and a detailed baseline study, the project was completed successfully in July 2022. The solar lights, requiring no external electricity, automatically lit up the streets at dusk, after many challenges, a sustainable change was achieved. 

The change was visible immediately. Streets once silent and unsafe now buzzed with activity after dark. Evening markets stayed open longer, women walked with confidence, and children gathered beneath the lights to study together. Local businesses also flourished, as seen in the story of Jayakumar (38), a resident of Mannur for nearly four decades. He shared, “I run a meat shop on the way from Mannur to Papparampakkam. Earlier, I had to close by 6 pm because I couldn’t afford electricity for my shop. After the solar lights were installed, I can now run my shop for two and a half hours longer every day. This effort has helped me earn a much better income.” His story reflects the new economic opportunities that light has brought to the community. 

Beyond convenience and safety, the initiative sparked a deeper change—awareness of green energy. For children and youth, the project became a living example of sustainability, making it easier to understand the value of renewable energy. 1Villagers collectively realized that solar power not only reduced costs but also protected the environment for future generations. 

Today, Mannur stands brighter, safer, and more hopeful. The solar street lights are no longer seen as just infrastructure but as symbols of progress, security, and sustainable growth. What began as a solution to accidents and safety concerns has become a powerful driver of community development and inspiration for other villages. 

The impact article is prepared based on the findings of the Solar Impact Assessment Report prepared by Thuvakkam M&E Team.
Credits: Thuvakkam – Monitoring & Evaluation Team
Written by: Sundhar Rajan. E (Associate – M&E)