Solar lights to shine on monuments in Agra

The NEDA is the state’s nodal agency for the project.

“The ministry will provide Rs 3 crore for installing solar lights in these three heritage buildings,” said AK Singh,Senior Project Officer,NEDA.

Under the project,the solar lights will be installed at places where generators are used during the day — inside the buildings,ticket counters and administrative offices.

The lights will also be installed at entrances,gardens,streets and canteens for night-time illumination.

Officials of the agency said the programme’s objective is to create publicity of renewable energy technologies and systems and to disseminate information on technology development. These devices will be displayed at places of national and international importance like heritage buildings and national parks.

“Besides motivating people to use non-conventional energy it will also help reduce expenditure on power supply,” said Singh.

A panel of consultants will be formed to help the Tourism Department and nodal agencies prepare the detailed project reports for these sites,an official of the agency said.

“Over one lakh tourists visit these heritage sites a day and hence these are the best places to create awareness about the benefits of solar energy,” said Atul Jain,Project Officer,NEDA,Agra .

After approval on heritage sites in Agra ,the agency will send proposals for Rani Jhansi Ka Quila in Jhansi ,Sarnath in Varanasi,Residency and Raj Bhawan in Lucknow and Sikandara in Agra .

The proposals for each of these sites would worth Rs 25 lakh.

Officials said under the same scheme,installation of solar lights has also been proposed at Ajanta and Ellora caves,Elephanta caves in Maharashtra; the Hampi ruins in Karnataka; Mahabalipuram temples in Tamil Nadu;

Humayun’s Tomb,Manas Wildlife Sanctuary and Kaziranga National Park in Assam,Chamaner-Pavagandh Archaeological Park in Gujarat.