Solar plants to come up at grain markets

In a major push to harness renewable energy, the Punjab Mandi Board plans to install solar power plants in grain markets across Jalandhar, Patiala, Ferozepur and Ludhiana at a cost of Rs 24.5 crore.

This eco-friendly initiative is expected to save approximately Rs 3.5 crore in annual power expenses, said board chairman Harchand Singh Barsat. He, along with senior officials of the board, reviewed various development works being carried out at grain markets, fruit and vegetable markets, market committees and e-NAM. The chairman further stated that the board would plant over 50,000 saplings in mandis across the state.

Barsat directed officials to complete the renovation of the guest house in Talwandi Sabo at the earliest so that it could be operated on the lines of the Kisan Bhawan, Chandigarh.

Under modernisation of vegetable mandis, he said boom barriers were installed at the vegetable mandi in Sanaur (Patiala). This led to an increase in market fees. Given the project's success, a decision had been made to implement this in other mandis.