New Delhi (NVI): In the last six years, India’s solar energy capacity has increased 13 times, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today, adding that India has brought the world together through the International Solar Alliance.
“Our gains in solar energy ensure a stronger fight against climate change, a boost to our entrepreneurs,” PM Modi said after virtually inaugurating Pugalur – Thrissur Power Transmission Project, Kasaragod Solar Power Project and Water Treatment Plant at Aruvikkara in Kerala.
He said farmers are also being connected with the solar sector to make the country’s “Annadatas” as “Urjadatas”. Under PM-Kusum Yojana, over 20 lakh solar power pumps are being given to farmers, he added.
“Our cities are engines of growth and power houses of innovation. Our cities are seeing three encouraging trends: Technological development, favourable demographic dividend and increasing domestic demand,” he said.
The PM also laid the foundation stone of Integrated Command and Control Centre and Smart Roads Project in Thiruvananthapuram during the event.
PM said the 2000 Megawatt state of the art Pugalur – Thrissur High Voltage Direct Current system inaugurated today is the first HVDC interconnection of Kerala with National Grid and will facilitate transfer of huge quantum of power to meet the growing power demands of the State.
This is also the first time the VSC converter technology has been introduced in the Country for transmission. PM further said that Kerala is largely dependent on import of power from the National Grid due to its seasonal nature of internal power generation and HVDC system helps to bridge the gap. He expressed happiness that the HVDC equipment used in this project has been made in India and gives strength to it’s AatmaNirbhar Bharat movement.
The PM further said the Integrated Command and Control Centres under the Smart Cities Mission are helping cities in better urban planning and management. He announced that 54 Command Centre projects have become operational and 30 such projects are at various stages of implementation.
He said that these centres were especially useful during the pandemic days. Under the Smart Cities Mission, the two Kerala Smart Cities – Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram have made significant progress. 27 projects worth Rs 773 crore were completed and 68 projects worth about Rs 2000 crore are in the pipe-line.
The Prime Minister said that AMRUT is helping cities expand and upgrade their wastewater treatment infrastructure. A total of 175 water supply projects are being taken up in Kerala under AMRUT at a cost of more than Rs 1100 crore, he said.
“Universal coverage is provided in 9 AMRUT cities. Aruvikkara Water Treatment Plant inaugurated today is completed at a cost of Rs. 70 crore. This would improve the lives of around 13 lakh citizens and this will help increase per capita water supply in Thiruvananthapuram to 150 litres per day from 100 litres per day supplied earlier,” he said.
Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan along with Union Ministers of State (IC) for Power New & Renewable Energy- Raj Kumar Singh and Housing & Urban Affairs- Hardeep Singh Puri were also present on the occasion.
-ARK
