RWAs flag roof-right hurdle blocking solar adoption in 60,000 CHB flats

Seeking urgent policy intervention, civil society members highlighted the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) roof-right issue -- currently restricting rooftop solar adoption in nearly 60,000 CHB flats -- during the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana stakeholders’ meeting here today.

Concerns regarding acceptance of power of attorney and other alternative documents for rooftop installation approvals were also raised during the meeting, which saw enthusiastic participation from city residents, with over 80 RWA members in attendance. The city’s two major RWA federations -- FOSWAC and CRAWFED -- participated actively.

The event was chaired by Saurabh Kumar, Secretary, Science and Technology and Renewable Energy. The panel included Navneet Kumar Srivastava, Director S&T&RE; Arun Verma, Director CPDL; Pramod Mishra, CTO CPDL; Sukhwinder Abrol, Project Director, CREST; and Abhishek Chaudhary. Representatives from RWAs, empanelled solar vendors and various administrative departments, including CHB, MC, and the Engineering Department were also present.

The programme began with detailed presentations by CREST and CPDL on the features and benefits of the PMSG-MBY scheme. Participants were informed of measures introduced to simplify the process and expedite subsidy release. Success stories highlighted that 148 out of 673 beneficiaries have already achieved zero electricity bills under the PMSG scheme in the first nine months of the year.

CREST and CPDL shared key insights on financial and consumer benefits.

Kumar stated that PM Surya Ghar is a flagship national scheme and its wide-ranging benefits must reach all eligible citizens to enable Chandigarh to emerge as a truly model solar city and move toward the vision of a 100 per cent renewable-energy-powered city.