Raja Khas in Indora to be first solar power village of state
Raja Khas village in Indora tehsil of Kangra district is set to become the first fully solar power village of Himachal Pradesh.
The village located at a distance of 70-km from the district headquarters of Dharamsala spans a total geographical area of 675.37 hectares. According to the 2011 Census, Raja Khas had a total population of 2,201 persons but the present population is estimated at 3,000 persons.
When the solar power project is installed, the 560 families of the village will be provided free solar energy for their daily power requirements.
Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, Hemraj Bairwa said that the solar power project was being installed under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme, which was supported by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
The Union Government will provide a grant of Rs 1 crore for the development of ideal solar energy village and for the expansion of green energy in the village.
While chairing a meeting of the District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) constituted under the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme on Tuesday, Hemraj Bairwa said that 43 villages in Kangra district were short-listed; out of which, Raja Khas been selected for this project.
He said that the ‘Model Solar Village Implementation Agency’ nominated by the government would prepare a detailed project report (DPR) and work on it to convert the village into a solar power village so as to provide uninterrupted power to all the villagers using decentralised solar technology.
Ramesh Thakur, Project Officer of Himurja and Member Secretary of DLCC, said that the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme is being done by ‘Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Council Limited’ while the government had notified Himurja as the nodal agency to review the implementation of the scheme.
This solar power initiative will not only provide free electricity to households but also cover streetlights, community facilities like schools, health centres and irrigation systems. The solar-powered water pumps for agriculture can also become part of the Union Government’s scheme.
Free power to households
- When the solar power project is installed, the 560 families of Raja Khas village will be provided free solar energy for their daily power requirements
- Kangra DC Hemraj Bairwa said that 43 villages in Kangra district were short-listed and out of these, Raja Khas was selected under the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme
Himachal Tribune