Grand finale of ‘Bijli Mahotsav’ Bhubaneshwar at Odisha
By Swagatika Bhutia
Bhubaneswar, Aug. 2: As part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ – to celebrate 75 years of India’s Independence, The Ministry of Power in association with the energy department, Government of Odisha organized the grand finale of ‘Bijli Mahotsav’ in Bhubaneshwar on July 30, 2022.
The Bijli Mahotsav was used as a platform to celebrate the collaboration between the state and the Central Governments and highlight the key achievements of the power sector.
Shri Nikunja Bihari Dhal,IAS, Secretary Energy Government of Odisha , Shri ShenbaramManthiram-CEO,TPCOLD, Shri Trilochan Pandey, -MD Gridco were the dignitaries present for the function.
Shri Pratap Keshari Deb, Hon’ble Minister for Energy, Government of Odisha was the Chief Guest for the event. During his address the hon’ble minister elucidated the role of the power sector in promoting Socio-economic Development in the country.
Shri A.K.Goswami, Regional Executive Director, NTPC (ER-2-HQ) welcomed the Chief Guest, Other Dignitaries, and audience present on the occasion. While delivering the welcome address he gave a vivid account of the growth of the power sector in India.
Shri A.K. Parihi GM ( Engg), NTPC (ER-2-HQ) proposed the vote of thanks.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi graced the Grand Finale marking the culmination of ‘Ujjwal Bharat Ujjwal Bhavishya – Power @2047’ on 30th July at 12:30 PM via video conferencing. During the programme, the Prime Minister launched the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme. He dedicated and laid the foundation stone of five green energy projects of NTPC. He also launched the National Solar roof top portal.
Under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the government has taken multiple paths breaking initiatives in the power sector. These reforms have transformed the sector, with the focus being on making affordable power available for all. Electrification of about 18,000 villages which did-not have access to power earlier signified the commitment of the government towards ensuring last mile outreach.
In a historic initiative, Hon’ble Prime Minister also launched the Ministry of Power’s flagship Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, which is aimed at improving the operational efficiencies and financial sustainability of the DISCOMs and Power Departments. With an outlay of over Rs. 3 lakh 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, focussing on improvement of the reliability and quality of supply to end consumers. It also aims to reduce the AT&C (Aggregate Technical and Commercial) losses to pan-India levels of 12-15% and ACS-ARR (Average Cost of Supply – Average Revenue Realized) gap to zero by 2024-25 by improving the operational efficiencies and financial sustainability of all state-sector DISCOMs and Power Departments.
During the programme, Hon’ble Prime Minister also dedicated and laid the foundation stone of various green energy projects of NTPC worth over Rs 5200 crore. He inaugurated the 100 MW Ramagundam Floating Solar Project in Telangana and the 92 MW Kayamkulam Floating Solar Project in Kerala. He also laid the foundation stone of 735 MW Nokh Solar Project in Rajasthan, Green Hydrogen Mobility Project in Leh and Kawas Green Hydrogen Blending with Natural Gas project in Gujarat.
The Ramagundam project is India’s largest floating solar PV project with 4.5 lakh ‘Made in India’ solar PV modules. Kayamkulam project is the second largest floating solar PV project consisting of 3 lakh ‘Made in India’ solar PV panels floating on water.
The 735 MW Solar PV Project at Nokh, in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan is India’s largest Domestic Content Requirement based Solar project with 1000 MWp at a single location, deploying high-wattage bifacial PV Modules with tracker system. The Green Hydrogen Mobility Project at Leh, Ladakh is a pilot project and aims for five Fuel Cell Buses to be run in and around Leh. This pilot project would be the first deployment of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles for public use in India. The Green Hydrogen Blending Pilot Project at NTPC Kawas Township will be India’s first Green Hydrogen Blending Project helping in reducing the usage of natural gas.
Hon’ble Prime Minister also launched the National solar roof top portal, which will enable online tracking of the process of installation of rooftop solar plants, starting from registering the applications to release of subsidy in residential consumers’ bank accounts after installation and inspection of the plant.
‘Ujjwal Bharat Ujjwal Bhavishya – Power @2047’ is taking place from 25th to 30th July, as part of ongoing ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. Organised across the country, it showcases the transformation in the power sector achieved in the last eight years. It aims to empower citizens by improving their awareness and participation in various power related initiatives, schemes, and programmes of government.
