Maharashtra to use solar power for water supply projects

NEW DELHI, December 10: Maharashtra government has proposed setting up of solar power systems as an integral part of water supply projects to be taken up under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT). A proposal in this regard was made in the state annual action plan (SAAP) for 2015-16 presented before the inter-ministerial Apex Committee for AMRUT chaired by Union Urban Development Secretary Madhusudhan Prasad here today. Officials of the Maharashtra government explained to the Apex Committee that using solar powered pumps for operating pumping stations would enhance financial sustainability of water supply projects proposed to be taken up by the state government under Atal Mission. According to UD Ministry, Department of Expenditure supported this proposal. The Apex Committee accorded in principle approval to the proposal and directed the state government to undertake detailed cost-benefit analysis before proceeding further in the matter. Maharashtra is the first state to make such a proposal. Apex Committee has earlier approved SAAP for 13 states. The Apex Committee approved SAAP for 2015-16 for three states of Maharashtra, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh with a total project outlay of Rs 2,870 crore for improving basic infrastructure pertaining to water supply, sewerage services, storm water drains, urban transport and green spaces and parks. These states account for 72 Atal Mission cities. Of this approved total outlay for three states, Rs 2,471 crore will be spent on water supply projects in 31 cities, Rs 260 crore on two sewerage projects in Ulhasnagar in Maharashtra and Shimla, Rs 18 crore on construction of storm water drains in Shimla, Rs 58 crore on urban transport projects in Shimla and Rs 69 crore for developing green spaces and parks in 69 cities. As per AMRUT guidelines, central government will provide assistance of Rs 1,349 crore including Rs 938 crore for Maharashtra, Rs 332 crore for Bihar and Rs 79 crore for Himachal Pradesh. Project outlays approved by the Apex Committee are Maharashtra - Rs 2,047 crore, Bihar - Rs 664 crore and Himachal Pradesh - Rs 159 crore. These states have 44, 26 and 2 Atal Mission cities respectively. Maharashtra will spend Rs 1,782 crore on water supply projects in 16 cities, Rs 223 crore on sewerage project in Ulahasnagar and Rs 42 crore on providing green spaces and parks in 42 cities. Bihar will spend Rs 647 crore on water supply projects in 14 cities and Rs 17 crore on green spaces and public spaces in all the 26 mission cities. Himachal Pradesh will spend Rs 42 crore to augment water supply, Rs 37 crore on expanding sewerage network services, Rs 58 crore on public transport related projects and Rs 4 crore for providing green spaces in Shimla. With today's approvals, the Ministry of Urban Development has so far approved AMRUT Plans for 2015-16 for 16 states that account for a total of 358 cities.