40 mandis in 4 dists to be run on solar power

The Punjab Mandi Board plans to install solar power plants at 40 grain markets in Patiala, Jalandhar, Ferozepur and Ludhiana district. The initiative aims at modernising mandis and promoting renewable energy in the state.

“Work on the project has already started at an estimated cost of Rs 24.42 crore. The initiative is expected to save around Rs 8.33 crore in electricity expenses annually,” said Mandi Board Chairman Harchand Singh Barsat.

Barsat said the mandis were being modernised and made more convenient so that farmers, commission agents and labourers did not face any difficulties. The project was recently inaugurated at Dana Mandi, Patiala, where a 74-kilowatt (kW) rooftop solar power plant was being installed. In Patiala district, solar power plants having total capacity of 656 kW would be installed across 10 mandis at an estimated cost of Rs 6.49 crore.

In Ludhiana district, solar power plants (757 kW total capacity) will be installed in 11 mandis at a cost of about Rs 7.12 crore. In Ferozepur, eight mandis will get solar plants (647 kW) at a cost of around Rs 5.10 crore. In Jalandhar district, solar power plants (794 kW) will be installed across 11 mandis at a cost of around Rs 5.71 crore.