Tirupur: The city corporation is likely to set up two solar plants on its land in Iduvai at a total cost of Rs 39.02 crore. The plan is to use the power to operate drinking water pumping stations.

Corporation commissioner K Sivakumar said the plants would be set up under the smart city project. “One plant will have a capacity to generate 4.8megawatt (mw) electricity, while the other one could generate 2mw electricity.”

Pointing out that the civic body had been using high-tension power to operate the drinking water pumping stations, he said upon the commission of the solar plants in 2020, electricity charges for the pumping stations would be nil.

“Solar rooftops will also be set up in 81 buildings, including in corporation offices, pumping stations and corporation schools, at a cost of Rs 2.34 crore. They would generate 302.50kilowatt power,” Sivakumar said.

A senior corporation official, meanwhile, unveiled the plans to replace the existing 6,604 mercury street lights with LED lights and also set up an additional 3,264 LED lights. “While the existing mercury bulbs consume 2.16mw power a day, all the 9,868 LED lights would consume only 2.07mw a day.”

Sivakumar said projects such as water supply improvement scheme for 36 extended wards, integrated command and control centre, extension of underground drainage facility to 31 wards, redevelopment of old bus stand, construction of conventional centre by razing down the existing town hall and multi-level vehicle parking lot would be implemented soon.

“Under the smart city project, 18 works at an estimate of Rs 551.205 crore have been awarded to contractors and the works are being commenced. Seven more works are to be taken up and the approval for the same is expected from authorities soon,” he said.

 

Published On : 28-06-2019

Source : Times of India