Going green: KMC to light up its buildings using solar power

Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has taken up a massive Green Energy Development initiative, under which it will light up all its buildings including borough offices, health units, community halls and schools, with solar lights.

"We have made plans to light up all our buildings using solar lights, with electricity bills shooting up by leaps and bounds. Solar photovoltaic (PV) cells will be set up on the roof of these buildings. We have already installed solar lights in as many as three parks in the city and the electricity bills have witnessed a significant dip," a senior official of KMC's lighting department said.

The lighting department has already forwarded a proposal in this regard to the civil department, which has started the task of examining the strength of the buildings.

They will submit a report about whether the buildings of the civic body can withstand a solar PV panel weighing around 20 kg, which the lighting department plans to install on the roofs. The KMC will begin with its 16 borough offices and then will gradually proceed with its health units, community halls and schools.

"Work will progress as per availability of funds," the official added. The KMC has already undertaken work for illuminating 16 parks in the city with solar lights. The state government has already sanctioned Rs 52 crore for the project. It may be mentioned that three parks in the city – Deshapriya Park, Maddox Square Park and Hazra Park have already been lit up with solar lights. Deshbandhu Park, Santosh Mitra Square, College Square, Md Ali Park, Subhas Sarobar Park and many others are lined up in the list as well.

It may be mentioned that a solar power plant installed at Deshapriya Park has reduced the electricity expenses by a huge margin. Around Rs 36,000 per month is being saved now at Deshapriya Park.