DW BUREAU / Shimla

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today laid the foundation stone of 5 MW Bhanjal solar power project to cost Rs. 31 crore and the state-of-art fisheries training center at Deoli which will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 5.17 crore in Gagret Assembly constituency of Una district.

Addressing a public gathering on this occasion, the Chief Minister said the Bhanjal solar power project being commissioned by the H.P. Power Corporation Limited in 9 hectares of land would be completed in a period of eight months. This project would generate 10.54 million units of power every year resulting in annual revenue of Rs. 3.82 crore to the state government. He added that 30 thousand solar modules would be established in this project and the project would also help in reducing 396 tonne carbon commission per year.

The Chief Minister said that Una district would generate 45 MW solar power in the times to come. The state government has dedicated the 32 MW Pekhubela solar power project in Una district constructed in a record time period of eight months by spending Rs. 220 crore. The work on 10 MW solar power project being commissioned in Kutlehar at a cost of Rs. 67.82 crores has also been started.

He said that with a view to protect climate of the state, the government in its first budget set a target to make Himachal Pradesh a green state by 31 March, 2026. The solar power projects would go a long way in achieving this and providing revenue to the state exchequer.

Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the state government was working tirelessly to realise its vision of making Himachal Pradesh a self-reliant state. Rs. 300 crore had been provided to the HRTC for purchasing electric buses and efforts were afoot to convert the entire fleet of the corporation with e-buses. The state government was also providing Rs. 800 crore grant to HRTC annually.

The Chief Minister said that the model code of conduct which spanned for five months period had adverse impact on developmental works but in near future, the government would take effective steps to accelerate the speed of development.

He also inspected the site of the modern training center for fishermen coming at Deoli.

Local MLA Rakesh Kalia thanked the Chief Minister for laying foundation stones of two major projects in Gagret Assembly constituency. He also placed few demands of the area with the Chief Minister.

MLA's Sanjay Rattan, Sudarshan Babloo and Vivek Sharma, senior officers of the state government and prominent persons of the area were also present on this occasion.
(editor@dailyworld.in)