Chandigarh, (Gurpreet) The Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has asked the Water Supply and Sanitation Department to expedite the process for setting up Solar Powered water supply schemes in the state.
Chairing a meeting here to review the functioning of the department, the Chief Minister said that tapping of solar energy for water supply schemes will be very beneficial for the state. He said that this initiative will go a long way in saving electricity on one hand and ensuring regular water supply in the villages on the other. The Chief Minister was informed that through this innovation department is mulling to install Solar-powered schemes in 1,508 villages to achieve sustainability and self-sufficiency by generating 8708 kW capacity at a cost of Rs. 60.50 crore.
Dwelling on another agenda, the Chief Minister also gave nod for digital adaptation in 1,731 villages where schemes will be linked with Internet of Things (IoT) and remote monitoring and operation of water supply will be done. He approved launching of this Pilot Project worth Rs. 106 crore in 93 villages and 100% coverage in 23 blocks. Bhagwant Mann also asked Department to roll on digital initiative, mGram Seva - an application which was launched as pilot project in 100 villages to ensure transparency and accountability in revenue collection and financial management.