Chandigarh: Now, solar plants must for 250 sq yd plots too

In a bid to enhance the adoption of solar power, now the owners of 250 sq yd plots will have to install solar power plants in the city. A meeting of the state-level coordination committee constituted for ‘PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana’ was convened today to oversee the implementation of the scheme.

To enhance the performance of the scheme within the city, UT Adviser Rajeev Verma directed the Secretary, Urban Planning, to expedite the process of further amending the building bylaws, reducing the plot size requirement for mandatory solar installations from 500 sq yd to 250 sq yd.

To address the issue of violation of building bylaws, the Adviser directed Deputy Commissioner-cum-Estate Officer, Vinay Pratap Singh, to take strict action against the defaulters and to issue property resumption notices to those who have failed to comply with the mandate to install solar power plants with a plot size of 500 sq yd and above. Around 4,000 such houses are yet to install solar plants

During the meeting, TC Nautiyal, Secretary, Science, Technology & Renewable Energy, spoke about various efforts taken by CREST such as newspaper advertisements, public bicycle shelters in Chandigarh, solar awareness camps, radio jingles, telecalling, digital promotion, etc.

During the meeting, chairman of the committee Verma expressed concern regarding the lower number of registrations under the scheme in Chandigarh. He emphasised the need for improved collaboration between CREST, MC and Chandigarh Electricity Department. The goal is to intensify awareness efforts and ensure that comprehensive information about the scheme reaches the general public effectively.

The Adviser emphasised on becoming No.1 among all UTs. The Deputy Commissioner highlighted the fact that there were various incentives available for municipal corporations, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and DISCOMs to promote the scheme. He directed the departments, including the MC, to launch an Intensive Education and Communication (IEC) campaign aimed at boosting awareness and greater participation in the scheme.