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Lethargic states stall solar cities

The aim of the programme is to promote the use of renewable energy in urban areas.

Hyderabad: The Telangana state and Andhra Pradesh governments have failed in submitting the detail project reports on solar cities to the Centre.

The Centre had identified Mahbubnagar in Telangana state and Vijayawada, Narsapur and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh to be developed as solar cities.

Among these, the Centre has released funds only for Vijayawada, for which the state government had submitted the DPR. The Centre has sanctioned Rs 46.40 lakh and released Rs 15.4 lakh.

The aim of the programme is to promote the use of renewable energy in urban areas by providing support to the urban local bodies for the preparation and implementation of a road map to develop solar cities.

For each town and city, the Centre will provide up to Rs 50 lakh depending upon the population and the initiatives undertaken. Up to Rs 10 lakh will be given for the preparation of a master plan along with a few implementable DPRs and up to Rs 10 lakh for overseeing the implementation during the three years and up to Rs 10 lakh for the setting up of solar cells and its functioning for three years.

The remaining Rs 20 lakh has to be utilised within three years for capacity building and other promotional activities like training, workshops and study tours.

Mahbubnagar municipal commissioner B. Dev Singh said that recently, Central officials had visited Mahbubnagar town after which there was no communication.

About the DPR he said the municipal administration department would be sending it to the Centre.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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