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Gujarat's Rs 100 Crore Green Pilgrimage Plan for Dwarka, Somnath & More

The Gujarat government has dedicated Rs 100 crore in its budget to transform major pilgrimage sites into green and power-safe zones. The initiative prioritizes Dwarka, Somnath, Ambaji, and Palitana for infrastructure modernization and enhanced electrical safety. It includes solar subsidies and plans to convert overhead wires to underground cables to ensure reliable power. The budget also introduced the 'Atal Wadi Yojana' with Rs 500 crore for urban underground cabling and new village community halls.

Key Points: Gujarat Budget: Rs 100 Cr for Green, Power-Safe Pilgrimage Zones

  • Rs 100 crore for pilgrimage zone development
  • Focus on Dwarka, Somnath, Ambaji, Palitana
  • Solar subsidies for government buildings
  • Underground cabling for safety and aesthetics
  • New 'Atal Wadi Yojana' for village community halls
2 min read

Gujarat Budget: Rs 100 crore allocated to develop pilgrimage areas into green and power-safe zones

Gujarat allocates Rs 100 crore to develop pilgrimage sites like Dwarka and Somnath into green, energy-self-reliant zones with modern power infrastructure.

"a reliable and uninterrupted power supply will be ensured for tourism activities, temple operations, and during festivals - Gujarat CMO"

Gandhinagar, February 26

The Gujarat government on Thursday announced the provision of Rs 100 crore to develop the state's pilgrimage areas into green and power-safe zones

According to the Gujarat CMO, this decision is to ensure continuous and quality power supply in pilgrimage sites, enhance electrical safety standards, and promote clean energy. The power distribution infrastructure will also be modernised.

The CMO said that a reliable and uninterrupted power supply will be ensured for tourism activities, temple operations, and during festivals. The beauty of pilgrimage sites will be enhanced through underground networks, well-organised distribution systems, and modern facilities.

The government will provide state solar subsidy assistance for the installation of rooftop solar systems up to a capacity of 500 kW on government buildings and local authority buildings.

This scheme aims to make the power distribution network safer, more reliable, and modern through distribution reforms, with special focus on cabling, transformer upgrades, and maintenance. In the initial phase, a plan has been presented to prioritise the pilgrimage areas of Dwarka, Somnath, Ambaji, and Palitana for development into Green and Power-Safe Zones. Measures will be undertaken to ensure electrical safety for pilgrims and to make the pilgrimage sites energy self-reliant.

In the budget, the government also announced 'Atal Wadi Yojana' to provide a well-equipped venue at the village level for social, cultural, and public events.

Under this scheme, 'Gaam ni Wadi' (community hall/centre) will be developed, which will serve as a hub of unity, dialogue, and cultural activities for villagers, according to the Gujarat CMO.

CMO said that this is a focused effort to strengthen village-level infrastructure for collective village activities.

This is a significant step towards collective infrastructural empowerment at the rural level.

The Gujarat Government also announced a new provision of Rs 500 crore to convert overhead power networks into underground cable networks in Municipal Corporations and Municipalities under the "Gujarat Wire Free City Mission".

This decision was taken keeping in view the development of the State and the rising electricity demand of citizens. It has become extremely essential to maintain a continuous, safe, and high-quality power supply.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good initiative, but I hope the execution is transparent and timely. Often such schemes get delayed. The 'Gaam ni Wadi' part sounds excellent for rural community building. Infrastructure development should always include social spaces.
V
Vikram M
Rs 100 crore is a significant amount. While developing pilgrimage sites is important, I respectfully question if some funds could also be directed towards improving basic power infrastructure in remote villages that still face daily outages. A balanced approach is needed.
R
Rohit P
Underground cabling in cities is a fantastic project! The tangled wires and frequent faults during monsoons will hopefully become a thing of the past. This will really improve the city's look and safety. Good going Gujarat!
S
Sarah B
As someone who loves visiting historical and spiritual sites in India, this is great news for tourism. A reliable power supply and cleaner, greener surroundings will greatly enhance the experience for both domestic and international visitors. Smart planning.
M
Meera T
The solar subsidy for government buildings is a practical move. It sets an example and can reduce long-term electricity costs. Making pilgrimage sites energy self-reliant is the need of the hour. Hope other states take note!

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