The government today said it has finalised the master plan to develop 36 cities as solar or green cities.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has been implementing a programme on "Development of Solar Cities" under which a total of 60 cities and towns are proposed to be supported for development as "Solar or green cities".
"So far, in principle approval has been accorded to 55 cities of which 45 cities have been sanctioned. Out of these 45 cities, the master plans have been finalised for 36 cities," New and Renewable Energy minister Farooq Abdullah said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
The criteria set by the Ministry for the identification of cities include a city having population between 50,000 to 50 lakh (with relaxation given to special category states including North-East States), initiatives and regulatory measures already taken along with a high level of commitment in promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy.
As per the proposal received from various states, so far Rs 21.23 crore has been sanctioned for preparation of master plans, solar city cells and promotional activities for 45 cities, out of which Rs. 4.64 crore has been released, the minister said.
"Further, an amount of Rs 25.55 crore has been sanctioned for execution of renewable energy projects in nine cities, out of which Rs 9.49 crore has been released for utilisation by the concerned state nodal agencies and municipal corporations,"the minister told the Lok Sabha.
The ministry is also implementing a programme on "Energy Efficient Solar or Green Buildings" which promotes the energy efficient solar and green building designs with renewable energy applications including Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment system.
Abdullah said the ministry promotes this by providing incentives to promotional activities, awards to urban local bodies and green buildings having maximum RE installations, incentives to architects and design consultants and other related activities.
