Chhattisgarh government is mooting a plan to tap solar energy in the insurgency-hit Bastar region to counter the Naxalites' target on the power distribution system.
The state plans to set up a 50-Mw solar power plant in the Naxal-infested pocket of Bastar region, a senior official with the Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA) told Business Standard.
After getting approval from the Chief Minister, Dr Raman Singh, the agency had sent the project to the ministry of non-conventional energy. The state government wanted to implement the project under Jawaharlal Nehru Solar Mission.
The official said the work on the project would start soon after getting approval from the ministry. The project would cost Rs 650 crore, he added.
The solar power plant would light up the Naxal-hit pockets. The system would help counter the Naxal target on the power distribution system, the official said.
The power supply had been the target Naxalites in the interior areas since last couple of years. The rebels are blowing up the power distribution towers or cutting the high tension lines to disrupt power supply. The power company officials find it difficult to visit the Naxal-infested areas.
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Besides insurgency problem, the solar power plant would underline the Chhattisgarh government's efforts to use non-conventional energy sources when global warming has been posing a big threat to environment.
The state government has made it compulsory to light up street lights in the colonies developed in more than two hectares area with solar energy.