DMC to float tender to install solar plants on vacant lands in Doon
Dehradun: In a bid to make use of vast tracts of its vacant land, which are allegedly being encroached by the land mafia, the Dehradun Municipal Corporation is planning to set up solar power plants under PPP mode.
The DMC hopes to not just protect its property in this manner, but also generate revenue by selling the power generated to the state government. A DMC official said that in the first phase, two power plants of 10 MW each will be constructed under PPP mode. The revenue earning by selling the power would be shared between the corporation and the company that wins the tender.
“We intend to give the corporation’s 80-100 bigha land for each project to ensure that land available at DMC’s disposal is utilized in the best possible way. The move is also in tandem with the central government’s focus on generating power through renewable sources of energy. It will help us take a step closer to becoming a modern city,” said DMC mayor Vinod Chamoli.
As per a rough estimate, nearly Rs 150 crore will be spent for setting up both the solar power plants, which are expected to generate revenue of Rs 15-20 crore each per year.
The corporation has approached UREDA for inputs on the project. “We have asked the officials of Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) to visit the sites and decide the best possible location for installing the plants. The second phase will kick-off as soon as the first plant’s work concludes,” said Chamoli. Currently, around 35% of the land under DMC’s jurisdiction is illegally encroached upon, forcing its officials along with the administration to fight to get back its land in the face of severe protests. The state capital reportedly has more than 120 illegal slums build on corporation land.
