Question : SOLAR CITIES

(a) the present status of the solar cities project launched by the Government in 2011;

(b) the number of cities which have been selected /identified by the Government to be developed as solar cities , State-UT wise and the criteria/ norms for identification / selection of those cities;

(c) the details of the proposal received from various States and the funds allocated to the States/UTs/local bodies for the purpose and the amount spent thereon so far;

(d) the targets set/achieved under the project –State /UT-wise; and

(e) the action plan proposed /to be prepared to make all the cities as solar cities in the country?

THE MINISTER OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)

(a)&(b):The Ministry has been implementing a programme on “Development of Solar Cities” under which a total of 60 cities/towns are proposed to be supported for development as “Solar/ Green Cities”. So far, in principle approval has been accorded to 55 cities of which 45 cities have been sanctioned. State-wise names of the Cities identified for developing as Solar Cities are given in Table I. Out of these 45 Cities the Master Plans have been finalized for 36 cities. 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 alongwith a high level of commitment in promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy.

(c): As per the proposal received from various states, so far, an amount of 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. Further, an amount of Rs.25.55 crore has been sanctioned for execution of renewable energy projects in 9 cities, out of which Rs.9.49 crore has been released for utilization by the concerned State Nodal Agencies/ Municipal Corporations. State-wise information is given in Table-II.

(d)&(e): A total of 60 cities/towns are proposed to be supported for development as “Solar/ Green Cities”. So far in principle approval has been accorded to 55 cities of which 45 cities have been sanctioned. The action plan to make all the cities as solar cities in the country is not set under the programme.