Policemen in power-starved Uttar Pradesh will no longer have to lodge FIRs and general diaries in candle or lantern light.

The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to install solar power generators in all 1,465 police stations across the state which will enable policemen to use CFL lamps, fans and even computers.

"We have taken up a project to install solar power generators at police stations in the state, which has formally been launched," chairman of New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (NEDA) Navneet Sehgal said.

"Installation of the solar power generator will enable every police station to use CFL lamps, fans and even a computer," he said.

Of the 1,465 police stations in the state, majority of them are located either in remote or rural areas, facing power crisis.

"In majority of the areas of the state electricity is available only for eight to 10 hours. Besides sometimes areas remain without power in case of a major breakdown," police department sources said.

The Uttar Pradesh police has launched a modernisation programme under which it has been decided to computerise records of all the police stations for proper maintenance, besides registration of FIRs.

"Though computers have been installed at around 500 police stations, but availability of power is a major hindrance in implementing the scheme," they said.

The NEDA forwarded a Rs 15 crore proposal to the Centre for installing solar power panels at police stations.

"The Centre while sanctioning Rs 4.7 crore for the project has also released Rs 2.35 crore for installation of solar power generators," the sources said.

In the first phase, 340 police stations would be taken up in which preference will be given to those located in remote areas.

These 340 police stations have been identified across 20 districts including Fatehpur, Siddharth Nagar, Banda, Gonda, Mainpuri, Basti and Naxal-affected areas of Sonebhadra, and Chitrakoot.

Installation of solar power generators of 2.2 kilowatt power will improve efficiency as it will support five CFLs, two fans and even a computer for six hours, they said.