‘Ujjwal Bharat, Ujjwal Bhavishya – Bijli Mahotsav
The Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh
Department of Information & Public Relations Leh Ladakh
Press Release
‘Ujjwal Bharat, Ujjwal Bhavishya – Bijli Mahotsav
Leh, Jul 31: As part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ – to celebrate 75 years of India’s Independence, the Ministry of Power and New & Renewable Energy organised ‘Bijli Mahotsav’ across India under the banner, Ujjwal Bharat Ujjwal Bhavishya – Power @ 2047 through active public participation, driven by the collaboration of the state and the Central Governments. Key achievements done in the Power Sector in the last 8 years were highlighted through these events.
Bijli Mahotsav kick started on 25th July across various districts in the country. Over the last few days more than 1500 events/ activities were organized at district level in coordination with District administration and were attended by Union Ministers, MPs, MLAs and State Ministers among others in large numbers.
The grand finale of Bijli Mahotsav was held on 30th July 2022. This was a National level celebration attended by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.
The Lt. Governor UT Ladakh RK Mathur and Advisor UT Ladakh Umang Narula attended the meeting through video conferencing.
Chief Executive Councilor (CEC) LAHDC Leh Advocate Tashi Gyalson along with Executive Councilors, Member Parliament Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Principal Secretary Dr Pawan Kotwal, Secretary Tourism Kacho Mehboob Ali Khan and Secretary Power Ravinder Kumar attended the celebration along with various beneficiaries of Power Sector Schemes implemented in Ladakh.
The Prime Minister also launched the Ministry of Power’s flagship Reform Based Distribution Sector Scheme which is aimed at improving the operational efficiencies and financial sustainability of Distribution Companies. With an outlay of Rs.3,03,758 crore over a period of five years from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26, the scheme aims to provide financial assistance to DISCOMs for modernization and strengthening of distribution infrastructure, aiming at improvement of the reliability and quality of supply to end consumers. It is also proposed to provide 25 crore Smart Prepaid meters to consumers all over the country.
The PM also launched the national portal for Rooftop solar, which will enable online tracking of the process of installation of rooftop solar plants, starting from registering the applications to release of subsidy for domestic consumers’ (‘beneficiaries’) bank account after installation and inspection of the plant. The estimated capacity under the national solar rooftop program is 4000 MW. This will be a major step towards realizing the solar rooftop potential of the nation and will contribute towards India’s target to produce 500 GW energy through non-fossil fuels committed in COP-26.
The Prime Minister also dedicated 2 floating solar power projects 100MW Ramagundam in Telangana and 92MW Kayamkulam in Kerala which are the 2 largest such floating solar plants with more than 7.5 lakh ‘Made in India’ Solar Modules floating on water.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for three key green energy projects of NTPC- 735 MW Nokh Solar Project in Rajasthan, Green Hydrogen Mobility Project in Leh and Kawas Helium Blending with Natural Gas project in Gujarat. The Green Hydrogen Mobility Project is the first deployment of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) for public use in India. All these 5 projects are estimated to be Rs 5000 Crores.
CEC LAHDC Leh Tashi Gyalson, spoke at length about the progress made in the power sector in the last 8 years and the further strengthening required in the power sector.
Member Parliament Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, appraised about various projects initiated and completed in the power sector in Ladakh including the 220 KV Srinagar Leh Transmission line, Ongoing 220 KV Nubra Zanskar Transmission Line and plans for electrification of Changthang Region. Also, as per the vision of the Prime Minister regarding Carbon Neutral Ladakh various measures taken up for developing the Renewable Energy Sector of Ladakh.
Secretary Power Ravinder Kumar briefed about the ongoing schemes in power sector and further planning of the UT under RDSS Scheme. A vote of thanks was also conveyed by the secretary to all the organizers and those involved in the development of the power sector in Ladakh.
Sr. GM PGCIL Shafat Ahmed Wani presented the vote of thanks for the successful celebration of “Ujjwal Bharat, Ujjwal Bhavishya” Bijli Mahotsav.
The celebration of “Ujjwal Bharat, Ujjwal Bhavishya” Bijli Mahotsav, an initiative under Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav from 25th to 30th July 2022 was feverously taken up in Ladakh wherein District Level celebrations were held on 25th July at Kaya Village & 26th July at Mudh Nyoma village in Leh District and 27th July at Silmo Batalik & 29th July at Drass in Kargil District. The grand finale event of the Bijli Mahotsav was held on 30th July 2022 at Leh Ladakh concluding the “Ujjwal Bharat, Ujjwal Bhavishya” Bijli Mahotsav.