Mission URJA – Fort Edition

A first-of-its-kind initiative electrifying Maharashtra’s historic forts and surrounding tribal hamlets through clean, decentralised energy.

Lighting Maharashtra’s Legacy

Launched in 2024, Mission URJA – Fort Edition is India’s first initiative to electrify unrecognised and unprotected forts using decentralised, clean energy. These forts — many perched high in the Sahyadri ranges — are more than stone structures. They are symbols of Maharashtra’s cultural pride, Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy, and the resilience of our history.

Yet, despite their deep historical significance, most remain outside the protection of government systems — unlit, unsecured, and disconnected. Around them live tribal communities equally excluded, navigating nights without electricity, safety, or visibility. TREEI Foundation recognised an opportunity to create dual impact: preserve forgotten heritage, and power up lives that exist in its shadow.

Mission URJA – Fort Edition brings this to life by installing solar-powered lighting systems across fort trails, entry zones, and nearby tribal hamlets. The result is not just safer pathways and revived tourism potential, but a grassroots model of eco-tourism, livelihood, and rural dignity — built on renewable, community-managed systems.

On 6th June 2024, TREEI hosted a joint inauguration at Tikona and Ghangad Forts, marking the beginning of this mission on the occasion of Shivrajyabhishek Day. With over 200 volunteers and tribal community members in attendance, the moment honoured both the legacy of the Maratha empire and the power of people-led progress.

With electrification now actively underway at these first two forts, TREEI is committed to lighting up 50 such historical sites by 2028 — proving that even in places overlooked by the grid and policy, systems of sustainability, culture, and community can come alive together.

Two Forts, One Mission

Electrifying Tikona and Ghangad with clean energy to protect heritage and empower surrounding communities.

TIKONA FORT

Steeped in Maratha history, Tikona Fort stands tall, yet remains unprotected, unlit, and overlooked by official systems. Though frequented by trekkers and surrounded by tribal hamlets, it lacks basic infrastructure and safety after dark.

TREEI selected Tikona to restore what has been forgotten, not just a fort, but the communities around it. With decentralised solar lighting now underway, Tikona becomes a symbol of how heritage and dignity can be revived together.

Ghangad Fort

Once a sentinel post for trade routes, Ghangad Fort today lies in obscurity, without government recognition, infrastructure, or electricity. The nearby tribal villages share the same neglect.

By choosing Ghangad, TREEI is bringing visibility, safety, and purpose to a forgotten landscape. Through clean energy, the fort and its people are being reconnected to opportunity and pride, one light at a time.

What Powers The Fort

A decentralized lighting system built to preserve heritage, improve safety, and function in remote terrain, sustainably

Solar Street Lights
Solar CCTV Camera
Kw
Solar Power Capacity
25Watt Solar Flood Light
Solar Mobile Charging Station

Fort & Village Edition Fy 2025-26 officially launched on Shivrajyabhishek Day

First Light Unveiled

On 6th June 2024, TREEI Foundation marked a historic milestone with the official launch of Mission URJA – Fort and Village Editions at Tikona and Ghangad Forts, through a community-led opening ceremony held on Shivrajyabhishek Day — a date that commemorates the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and the enduring spirit of self-rule, heritage, and resilience in Maharashtra.

This was more than a ceremonial moment. It was the public unveiling of a bold vision: to bring decentralised clean energy to unrecognised heritage sites and underserved tribal communities — creating visibility where systems have failed to reach. The event witnessed the presence and participation of over 200 volunteers, tribal community members, local youth leaders, and TREEI teams who together illuminated not just forts, but futures.

The sun setting through a dense forest.
Wind turbines standing on a grassy plain, against a blue sky.
The sun shining over a ridge leading down into the shore. In the distance, a car drives down a road.

The joint inauguration of the first Fort and Village electrification sites symbolised TREEI’s integrated model of change — one that links heritage restoration, rural development, and sustainable infrastructure into a single, replicable system.

This milestone was made possible with the support of our Partners of Change —
Netcracker Technology, Worley Group, Artemyn Group, and Imerys, whose commitment to grassroots transformation and energy equity helped power this mission from concept to reality.

This wasn’t just the beginning of a project. It was the lighting of a promise — to reclaim forgotten spaces through clean energy, collective will, and local ownership, and to build systems that serve not only history, but humanity.

Our Impact Partners

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Light the Next Fort

Support the electrification of heritage forts and tribal villages through sustainable, community-owned systems.

Partner With Us

Legacy, Now Visible

Decades of darkness replaced by decentralized light — illuminating Maharashtra’s unrecognised forts with dignity.

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