Agartala: The ambitious project to make Agartala as country’s first Solar City has received a setback as Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) did not receive the final project proposal, officials said here on Saturday.
According to report, master plan for only seven cities, including two of Northeast – Kohima (Nagaland) and Aizawl (Mizoram) – had been finalized for progressing project though the Ministry had planed to develop 60 solar cities in the country.
MNRE had in principle agreed upon proposals received from the concerned state governments to utilize solar energy in 48 cities by contributing at least 10 per cent to the total requirement of energy. Accordingly, MNRE had given sanction to 37 cities, including Agartala, to engage consultants for preparation of Master Plans envisaging on initiatives and regulatory measures at high level of commitment in promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy.
A project of Rs 20 Cr had been undertaken to make Agartala a ‘solar city’ on 90 per cent grant from the Centre but it could not take off in first phase because of absence of master plan, officials added.
The state government had earlier announced to instal solar hot water system in all the hotels, nursing homes, circuit house and bungalows, hospitals and health centres, tourist lodges, temples and Raj Bhawan. The MNRE had already sanctioned an amount of Rs 17.23 Cr for 37 cities and Rs 2.75 Cr was released for utilization by the concerned state nodal agencies, including Agartala. (UNI)
