Lucknow: Over 56,000 schools in Uttar Pradesh without lights and fan will be provided electricity under a government project, an official here said on Tuesday.

"The electrification project will cover over 56,000 government-run primary and upper primary schools in all the 71 districts of the state," Director Basic Education D.C. Kannaujia told IANS.

The government has earmarked a grant of Rs.1.7 crore (Rs.17 million) for the project that will be undertaken shortly to provide a conducive and better atmosphere for students in their classrooms, he said.

Electricity to schools will be provided in a phased manner. Initially, the electrification project will be undertaken in 1,000-odd schools in various districts in the state, officials said.