(Ambuj Maheshwari From Bhopal.)
Sanchi, home to the Stupa that has shown the light to the world for over 2,000 years, has become India’s first ‘solar city’.
Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday inaugurated Sanchi Nagar, a World Heritage town in Raisen district, as the first solar city of India.
In the programme, an agreement was signed between the state department of renewable energy and IIT Kanpur to make Sanchi a net zero city.
Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said “By turning into the country’s first solar city, this historic place has shown the way to the world, the same way as Lord Buddha once did.” The entire solar project in Sanchi will reduce 14,324 tonnes CO2 less per year, the CM said, calling for bringing down the consumption of conventional energy to net zero – making it fully dependent on renewable energy.
Chouhan said Madhya Pradesh has moved forward in the direction of fulfilling the pledge taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi about energy conservation, realising his vision with greater social responsibility.
“In Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh, an initiative has also been taken to establish a 600 MW capacity plant by installing solar panels on the surface of the dam. The message of peace had once reached the world from Sanchi. Now Sanchi will pioneer in the field of solar energy,” said the CM. Chouhan said that about 7,000 residents in Sanchi have pledged to save electricity by using solar stand lamps, solar study lamps and solar lanterns in their homes.
According to the energy department, Sanchi Solar City will reduce the emissions of more than 14,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, which is equivalent to more than 238,000 trees. E-vehicles have been promoted. Four commercial charging points and three e-rickshaw charging points have been installed. The use of battery vehicles will also result in saving more than ₹9 lakh worth of diesel.
