With usual bombast and bluster, the print media is agog with a report on the State Cabinet decision of tapping solar power potential in Ladakh region in very big way. According to reports, the plan envisages 5000 MW potential in Leh, and 2500 MW in Kargil to be tapped. Sanction has been accorded to setting up of two Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects in the cold desert under Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) of the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. These projects would generate 7500 Mega Watts (MW) of solar power. The ambitious plan is of selling electricity to the rest of the country and bringing about a revolution in the energy sector.
We just lament why this project has been accorded belated sanction by the Sate Cabinet. It should have come soon after Dr. Farooq Abdullah had taken charge of the concerned ministry at the centre. We have been often told by experts that the desert plateau of Leh and Kargil is most suitable for generating solar energy. It could become world famous solar energy generating plant just because of its natural setting. The news is welcome, and could be a viable step towards changing the destiny of the State. While we are appreciating the decision of the Government, we also would like to caution it against half-hearted interest in bringing the project to completion within the stipulated time.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel