SMC to develop ‘green campus’ in 15 of its primary schools in the city
Surat: Come January-2019, about 15 primary schools run by the Surat Municipal Corporation’s (SMC) Nagar Prathamik Shikshan Samiti will convert into ‘green campus’.
This is the first of its kind initiative of the municipal corporation to turn primary schools into green campuses by adopting green initiatives like rooftop solar plants, indoor and outdoor LED lighting, rainwater harvesting, utilizing of renewable energy systems like solar water heater, solar cooker, solar air conditioning, solar lantern etc.
Official sources said SMC has partnered with the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Torrent Power for rainwater harvesting, LEDs and five-star rated fans for solar power plants. The primary schools are located in areas like Katargam, Ved Road, Athwalines, Karanj and Althan.
The entire project is based on the public-private-partnership (PPP) model. While ONGC will bear the total cost of Rs 20 lakh for rainwater harvesting, the cost of Rs 26 lakh for solar power plants will be borne by municipal corporation and the central government. Torrent Power will be fitting the LEDs and fans from its corporate social responsibility (CSR) fund.
Talking to TOI, additional city engineer KH Khatwani said, “The green campus concept in primary schools run by SMC is first of its kind in the entire country. All the 15 schools put together will generate 50 kilowatts of solar power, which will be connected with the grid. The idea was floated by municipal commissioner and we target to complete the project in the next six months.”
“The tender for rooftop solar plants is floated and the work will start by September,” he added.
According to Khatwani, the green campus in primary schools is a pilot project and other primary schools run by the municipal corporation will be added in other phases.
“We have the target to convert all the primary schools in the city into green campuses. This will not only inspire the young generation, but will become an inspiration for other private educational institutions to follow the footsteps,” Khatwani said.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes
