Bhadrak: An ambitious solar power project in Bhadrak district has reportedly run aground due to official apathy.
According to reports, the state government had initiated steps to set up a 200MW solar park at Nilambanagar. The district administration had issued a letter to the Chandbali tehsildar in July 2017 to this effect. But the tehsil authorities did not show any interest in the project. As a result, the project proposal was wrapped in red tape, it is alleged.
Another project is Centre-sponsored Atal Jyoti Yojana (AJY), which is being executed by OREDA. Under the AJY, streets will be lighted in rural, NAC and municipality areas. In the current year, the OREDA has set a target to fix 2000 streetlights in the district.
However, no residents are keen to take advantage of the Yojana. The state government has signed a MoU with OREDA to carry out the project. Surprisingly, not a single streetlight has been fixed until now.
A stunning fact about poor progress of the Yojana is, according to some people’s representatives and officials, there is no profit for them from this project, as online transaction is mandatory for the project.
No offices in the district have made provision for solar panels to make use of them. Review meetings had been held several times in the past, but nothing has progressed. No department has come forward to make use of this project.
OREDA has sought data from all departments on monthly consumption of electricity. The departments are supposed to provide necessary data in a particular format but data has not been available. It is learnt that five streetlights have been put up at Bant College this year.
Solar panels of 15 KW have been set up on the roof of the Collectorate, but they are not in use. The administration has no data about how many projects have been implemented.
OREDA has an office in Bhadrak to look after the solar electrification. Assistant director of the office Aswini Kumar Das is in charge of three districts – Bhadrak, Balasore and Jajpur.
PNN
