BBN area to have solar lights

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, June 23

Various villages falling under 41 panchayats in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Development Authority (BBNDA) will soon be illuminated with solar lights as the Ministry of Non-Renewable Energy, Government of India, has extended Rs 2.80 crore for the purpose.

The funds have been sanctioned under the Off-Grid Decentralised Solar Applications Programme aiming at promoting ecologically sustainable growth while addressing India’s energy securitychallenge. It is also an effort towards meeting the challenges of climate change and promoting solar energy use. Chief Executive Officer of the BBNDA Lalit Jain said they had mooted a proposal to seek funds under the programme. He added that the authority would also pool in Rs 28 lakh and they would ensure that at least 1,500 solar lights were installed at prominent places.

He said the work would begin soon as funds had already been received. Places which are prone to accidents or comprise dark areas will be lit up while some more are in the process of being identified in 41 panchayats. Panchayat representatives have been asked to ensure that the lights are not pilfered.

Jain said 10 high-mast lights had been placed in 10 prominent places in the BBN while 20 more would soon be installed in other crucial places as part of the authority’s “Illuminate BBN Project”.

He said at least 150 streetlights had been installed by various industries outside their premises as part of the corporate social responsibility.