Complete solar projects on time or face blacklisting: Addl chief secretary
Seven firms are part of setting up solar power projects with a capacity of 1,083 MW in the district under the 'Chief Minister's Solar Agriculture Feeder Scheme 2.0' to provide daytime electricity to farmers.
Shukla chaired a review meeting at the Pune district collectorate on Friday attended by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) chairman and managing director Lokesh Chandra, additional district collector Suhas Mapari, MSEDCL directors Yogesh Gadkari and Rajendra Pawar, regional director Bhujang Khandare, and other senior officials.
The state government has set a target of generating 16,000MW of power through the scheme, with Pune district's 131 power substations to produce 1,083MW.
According to the officials, while work orders for the projects were issued to the companies about 18 months ago, only one firm has met the deadline.
MSEDCL sub-divisional engineers have been appointed as nodal officers to coordinate land acquisition and resolve issues. Shukla has instructed revenue, police, forest, and public works departments to help remove obstacles in the implementation of projects.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Nagpur dist leads as Maha crosses 1,000MW rooftop solar milestone
Nagpur: Maharashtra scripted a green energy success story by crossing the 1,000 MW rooftop solar power generation mark under the Pradhan Mantri Suryaghar Free Electricity Scheme. Nagpur district has emerged as the top performer in the state. The scheme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2024, aims to provide free electricity to households and enable them to sell surplus power to the grid. In just a year and a half, over 2.5 lakh households in the state installed rooftop solar projects, with the combined capacity now touching one gigawatt. The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) is driving this drive across the state. In Nagpur, 40,152 consumers have taken benefit of the scheme with an installed capacity of 157 MW, which is far ahead of other districts. Pune follows with 19,195 consumers (89 MW), Jalgaon with 18,892 (70 MW), Amravati with 15,245 (63 MW), Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar with 16,664 (59 MW), and Nashik with 15,468 (55 MW). MSEDCL officials said that the central govt has so far sanctioned subsidies worth Rs1,870 crore to Maharashtra's beneficiaries. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Become Fluent in Any Language Talkpal AI Sign Up Under the scheme, households can receive Rs30,000 for a 1 kW system, Rs60,000 for 2 kW, and Rs78,000 for 3 kW. Housing societies can get Rs18,000 per kW for systems up to 500 kW. Lokesh Chandra, MSEDCL chairman and managing director, congratulated consumers, employees and rooftop solar suppliers while attributing the rapid progress to guidance of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and minister of state for energy Meghna Sakore Bordikar. Officials also said that rooftop solar projects typically generate power for up to 25 years, covering household needs and allowing excess electricity to be sold back to MSEDCL. "Consumers can register online at or visit their local Mahavitaran office for assistance," said the officials. "Maharashtra has set a benchmark for the country in rooftop solar adoption, and Nagpur has shown the way," said an MSEDCL official, urging more households to join the green power revolution. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Nepal waives climbing fees for 97 mountain peaks
Nepal has waived climbing fees for 97 mountains, officials said on Wednesday (August 13, 2025), hoping to steer people to its lesser-known peaks and boost local economies. Climbers pay for permits on Nepali peaks and the fees vary depending on the mountain's height and popularity, with heftier charges for those such as Everest. The 97 mountains, ranging in height from 5,870 metres (19,300 feet) to 7,132 metres, are located in the western Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces. "We hope it will bring our hidden treasures in the limelight and diversify the mountains Nepal offers," Himal Gautam, of Nepal's tourism department, told AFP. It follows a busy spring climbing season in Nepal during which the government issued 1,168 climbing permits. Over half of those were for peaks above 8,000 metres, including Everest, the tallest in the world at 8,849 metres. In contrast, others saw little climbing activity and generated minimal revenue from so-called royalty fees. "These remote areas have immense tourism potential and we hope the local economy can benefit," said Gautam. Nima Nuru Sherpa, president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, welcomed the decision but said much more was needed to drive interest in remote mountains. "Royalty fees alone is not keeping mountaineers [away] from these areas. We need to develop the infrastructure and manpower required for running expeditions there," Sherpa said. Nepal is home to eight of the world's 10 highest peaks and welcomes hundreds of climbers every year during the spring and autumn climbing seasons. A boom in climbers has made mountaineering a lucrative business since Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa made the first Everest ascent in 1953. In February, Nepal increased permit fees for Everest from $11,000 to $15,000 starting next spring, hoping it will help tackle pollution and boost safety.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Over 3.24 Lakh Smart TOD Meters Installed in Nagpur, Wardha
Nagpur: Amid opposition, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd ( ) has increased the pace of installing smart meters, with over 3.24 lakh smart 'Time of Day' (TOD) meters installed so far in Nagpur and Wardha districts. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The rollout, earlier restricted to industrial users, is now benefiting domestic consumers with lower daytime power tariffs after the new tariffs were implemented following the order of the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC). An MSEDCL official said that from July 1, households fitted with TOD meters received a discount of 80 paise per unit on electricity consumed between 9am and 5pm, which will be reflected in consumers' August bills. "The rebate will rise gradually to Rs1 per unit by 2029–30. Customers can make noticeable savings by operating high-power appliances such as washing machines, geysers, and air-conditioners during these hours," the official said. So far, 2.78 lakh smart meters have been installed in Nagpur district and 46,005 in Wardha district, covering new connections, solar net metering systems, and replacements for faulty meters. MSEDCL is installing these devices free of cost. The utility highlighted that TOD meters record power usage time-wise, ensuring accurate billing and eliminating manual errors. "Consumers can monitor their consumption in real time via a mobile app, helping them shift usage to cheaper slots. The meters are postpaid and emit far less radiation than mobile phones, making them safe for health," said MSEDCL. MSEDCL is carrying out the installation of smart meters even amid opposition from several citizens, organisations, and social groups, who claim that bills have increased after the installation of TOD meters. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now MSEDCL also dispelled rumours that smart meters lead to higher bills, stressing that they actually help customers plan their usage, save money, and contribute to energy conservation. The technology will also help curb electricity theft and reduce distribution losses. Calling smart meters "a crucial step towards a transparent and efficient power supply," MSEDCL has urged all consumers to cooperate with its teams and agencies in completing the installation drive.
