Friday, December 13, 2013: India is clearly going the green way. Giving a boost to the country’s solar reforms, Farooq Abdullah, minister of New and Renewable Energy said that the government is working to implement a programme on development of solar cities. As part of the initiative, a total of 60 towns/cities across the country will be provided with adequate support for developing as solar green cities, informed the minister.
According to some online reports, in principle, approval has been accorded to 55 cities, out of which 45 cities have been sanctioned. Abdullah said, “Out of these 45 cities, the master plans have been finalised for 36 cities.”
Describing the criteria for identifying the solar cities set by the ministry, he said, any city having a population of 50,000 to 5 million can be considered for the purpose. He revealed that ministry has sanctioned an amount of Rs 200 million for preparing the master plans, solar city cells and promotional activities. This amount has to be spent on the 45 cities that have been sanctioned.
