LUCKNOW: A study based on Nasa satellite imagery data bank of nine years (2014-22) has found that national rural electrification drives and the rollout of streetlighting programmes have reshaped nighttime illumination patterns across north India, specially in Uttar Pradesh and
Bihar, over the past decade.
The research, conducted by a team of 22 scientists led by Tian Li and Zhe Zhu of the University of Connecticut, analysed 1.16 million (11.6 lakh) nighttime satellite images using a newly developed algorithm capable of detecting daily changes in artificial light at night. Unlike earlier studies that relied on yearly averages, the new maps capture rapid brightening and dimming, revealing a far more dynamic and volatile night time landscape across the world.
Published as the cover article in the journal Nature under the title “Satellite imagery reveals increasing volatility in human night-time activity,” the study highlights clear regional differences within India.
Southern parts of the country recorded sustained and continuous brightening throughout the study period, reflecting steady urbanisation, industrial activity and higher levels of economic development. In contrast, northern India showed a different trajectory: a pronounced surge in illumination during the early years of the decade, followed by more variable patterns later on, read the paper. Researchers say this early burst of brightening in the north was largely policy driven.
Large-scale national rural electrification initiatives expanded power access to millions of villages, while govt backed streetlighting programmes rapidly installed outdoor lighting in rural roads and small towns. Areas that had remained dark for decades were suddenly visible from space, as electricity connections and public lighting transformed night time activity across vast swathes of northern India.
“Non-residential development and electrification are major drivers of abrupt increases in nighttime light,” the authors noted, pointing to India as a key example of how infrastructure policy can quickly alter illumination patterns. Unlike slow urban expansion, these programmes produced sharp and detectable changes over short periods, particularly in rural and semi urban regions.
Responding to the findings, UP energy minister AK Sharma in a written statement to
TOI, said, “Under CM Yogi Adityanath, over the past few years state govt has focused on policy, management and technological reforms aimed at providing uninterrupted electricity from rural areas to major cities. The impact of which is now visible globally. ”
“About 1.5 lakh hamlets have been electrified in the last one decade. By 2022, UP’s power generation had increased to 5,820MW and currently is now 9,120MW, which is nearly double,” said the minister.
He added that electricity availability in Uttar Pradesh had increased to 15,395MW in 2022 and today, the state provides 27,000MW. In fact, to improve power efficiency, the state has managed to replace 1.65 lakh km-long old power cables and around 30 lakh electricity poles have been replaced.
“Given major reforms under CM Yogi Aditaynath’s directives, the state is able to provide electricity for 18 to 24 hours to every village, town and district,” he added.
Meanwhile, globally, the study found that India and China contributed the largest share of increased nighttime brightness, closely linked to urban growth and expanding energy access.
At the same time, the maps reveal a parallel trend of dimming in parts of Europe, where energy efficient LEDs, light pollution regulations and conservation measures have reduced overall illumination.
France saw a 33% drop in nighttime brightness, followed by the UK (22%) and the Netherlands (21%). European nights dimmed especially sharply in 2022, during the regional energy crisis that followed the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as govts and cities curtailed lighting to save power.
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