India’s first solar city will protect Taj Mahal, World Heritage site.
Agra is the city of the inimitable Taj Mahal. The story of Agra begins much earlier than the Taj Mahal, however it finds mention in the epic Mahabharata when it was called Agrabana or Paradise. Ptolemy, the famous second century A.D. geographer, marked it on his map of the world as Agra.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Govt. of India has launched a Scheme on “Development of Solar Cities” under which a total of 60 cities/towns are proposed to be supported for development as “Solar/ Green Cities” during the 11th Plan period. The program aims at minimum 10% reduction in projected demand of conventional energy at the end of five years, which can be achieved through a combination of energy efficiency measures and enhancing supply from renewable energy sources. Out of this 5% will be from renewable energy source. MNRE has been providing financial support to Agra Nagar Nigam for preparing a Master Plan for developing Agra as a Solar City.
The objective of the Master Plan of Agra Solar City is to develop a road map for the city to envision and implement renewable energy and energy conservation strategies. The master plan approach is in tandem with the requirements ofthe MNRE guidelines.
Agra Nagar Nigam is responsible for urban governance and civic management. The corporation has a democratically elected leadership from the constituencies within the geographic jurisdiction of the corporation boundaries. Uttar Pradesh Municipal Corporation Adhiniyam, 1959 and its amendments govern the functioning of ANN. Under this cleanliness and sanitation is one of the main responsibilities of ANN.
It is proposed to install 1000 solar street lights, 10 solar traffic lights, 50 solar blinkers, 2000 road studs, 200 outdoor lights for parks and 8 solar pumps in Agra Nagar Nigam as model Renewable Energy systems.
The “Development of Solar Cities” programme by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, is an immense opportunity for contributing towards a sustainable India in the coming years. This programme is a crucial step towards supporting Indian cities for the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects and curbing conventional energy demand by 10% in the next five years.
Master Plan Agra Solar City - PDF
