Solar city project yet to start, AMC says ball in govt’s court
The civic body got selected for the coveted solar city project of the Union ministry of new and renewable energy in 2014-15, but is still waiting execution of the project that is supposed to bring down its expenditure to a large extent.Sikander Ali, executive engineer in the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), on Friday said the ball is in the central government’s court. “We have completed all the formalities and submitted a detailed project report to the Union ministry of new and renewable energy in 2015. But, we have not received any communication since then,” he told TOI.
Under the ambitious project, the municipal body is looking forward to install rooftop solar panels in its main administrative buildings at an investment of about Rs 5 crore, of which the central government is supposed to provide Rs 2.5 crore.The project conceptualised by the erstwhile UPA government was aimed at promoting renewable energy-based options such as solar, wind, biomass, small hydro and solid waste. Besides, energy efficiency measures were also supposed to be implemented to bring down the power consumption level in offices and other public places.
The central government had shortlisted 20 cities and set aside Rs 66.5 crore to be spent over a period of five years.Though the city was selected under the project, the municipal authorities were making efforts to get the status of model solar city and increase funding. Cities selected under the project will get 50% funding from the central government, but those coming under the model solar city will get 70% of the total cost.”If we get additional funding, the civic body could install solar panels at all its offices, hospitals and schools across the city. This will further bring down the expenditure of the municipal body,” Ali said.
The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation has received only the first instalment of Rs 5 lakh for the propagation of solar energy concept in the city. The ministry has planned to allot separate funds of Rs 50 lakh in a span of five years under the head.
Source:ET
