Mysore and Hubli in the State are two among the 48 cities selected across the nation by union ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) for the ambitious ‘Solar City’ project. The project estimated to cost Rs 1,620 crore, will require majority of 60 per cent funding by the private parties, followed by six to eight per cent from local bodies and remaining by the central government.

A meeting of solar city stakeholders committee had been organised on the corporation premises on Tuesday, as a prelude to prepare action plans under the very project.
Making a power-point presentation, Anand, from Dara Shah Consultants, Mumbai an agency hired by the local body explained that 10 per cent of the conventional energy could be saved, by adopting solar, biomass and other types of energy by 2015. According to an estimate the city may require 5,453 million units of power in the next five years. An approximate of 600 million units of electricity could be saved, by switching over to non-conventional energy.

An accurate data pertaining to the consumption of different forms of energy-fuel, gas, kerosene, electricity for the past five years in the city has been collected, to ascertain the projected picture in the next five years, Anand explained.

If the project becomes a reality, the seven km Chamundi Hill road from the arch gate to the top will be lit up with solar light. It’s one among the several projects included in the implementable proposals by the agency. All it requires is 20 kw plant at the cost of Rs one crore.

The investment cost would be further low with18 per cent subsidy from the ministry. The area around the temple too could also be lit up with 10 kw plant at the cost of Rs 50 lakh followed by another 10 kw plant at the similar cost for the steps leading to the hill shrine. He said Mysore palace too requires 4000 kw per unit, at the cost of Rs 16000 lakh. The prominent seven roads in the city like- Sayyaji Rao Road, MG Road, Vani Vilasa Road, 100 feet, JLB among others could also be converted into solar based lighting.

MCC commissioner K S Raykar who was also present at the meeting favoured setting up of zero waste management unit at the University of Mysore campus and also APMC Vegetable Market considering the huge generation of leaves and vegetable waste. However, he withdrew  the idea of setting up a similar unit at Devaraja Market, as it awaits restoration.

Director of union ministry of new and renewable energy Arun Tripati said that the centre will grant Rs 50 lakh- 10 lakh for preparation of master plan within a year, Rs 10 lakh for solar city cell, Rs 10 lakh for overseeing of implementation and Rs 20 lakh for capacity building and other promotional activities. However, the time frame for preparing the proposal is three years, he asserted.

Mayor Pushpalatha Chikkanna, Vani Vilas Water Works executive engineer Subramanya, MCC junior engineer (street lights) Subramanya and others were present.