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BJP promises to make Delhi first 'Green Capital of the World'

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Press Trust of India New Delhi
BJP today said if voted to power it will make Delhi the first pollution free "Green capital of the world" by 2020 by promoting use of solar power, bio-CNG from garbage, large scale afforestation and a clean Yamuna river.

Senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari said party government would withdraw all man-pulled rickshaws from the city and replace it battery-operated and solar-powered ones on large scale as "last mile" connectivity for metro commuters.

"BJP would make Delhi the first green capital of the world, which would be followed by other countries.

"We will set global standards in cleaning our water, our air and our river," Gadkari, who was flanked by BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate Harsh Vardhan and Delhi BJP Chief Vijay Goel, told reporters.
 

On the major projects that the BJP intends to take up after coming to power, which would also be included in its yet-to-be-released manifesto, Gadkari said the government would convert "every house a power house" with the use of solar power.

"Above the subsidy of 30 per cent by the Union government, Delhi government would provide an addition subsidy of 30 per cent on the equipments to be used in solar power.

"A law would be enacted to enable every home to sell excess power to the grid and instead of paying high electricity bills, they can actually earn revenue," Gadkari said, adding all government buildings will have to "switch on the sun" use solar power by 2015.

He said entrepreneurs setting up manufacturing units of solar panel, mirrors, wire, mirrors, batteries, inverters, and transformers would be given "sales tax holiday" for 10 years.

"Our government would empower Delhi State Industrial Development Corporation to swiftly establish dedicated units with renowned private sector partners for the manufacture of the hardware requirements," Gadkari said.

The BJP aims to create 50,000 new jobs by establishing high technology enterprises like production of solar panels and hardware, nanotechnology and biotechnology.

"Our government would also incentivise the use of electric vehicles for public and private transport. New autos will be required to be battery-operated. Also it would set up a city wide electric charging network for electric vehicles," he said.

BJP has also decided to launch a massive programme to clean and re-energise the Yamuna and restore it to it's former glory by developing the riverbank and ensuring zero disposal of untreated sewage, Gadkari said.

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First Published: Nov 21 2013 | 8:16 PM IST

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