On a pilot basis, two such units have been developed, said CDO Khurana. “The cost of one unit will be around Rs 11 lakh with free yearly maintenance
RUDRAPUR: The Udham Singh Nagar district administration is all set to implement the integrated solar-based micro irrigation scheme across the district. Introducing the scheme, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) of the district, Himanshu Khurana, said that in the first phase, 13 such units will be introduced and in the next financial year, when budget from the Government of India is released, the scheme will be further expanded.
Talking to TOI, Khurana said, “Udham Singh Nagar is an agriculture-based district. However, the agricultural sector needs proper irrigation facilities and other amenities to reap proper benefits. The major constraint in this sector is farmers’ dependency on electric pumps for irrigation. To reduce this dependency, we have decided to introduce solar power water pumps in the district.”
On a pilot basis, two such units have been developed, said CDO Khurana. “The cost of one unit will be around Rs 11 lakh with free yearly maintenance. These solar-powered pumps will be of 5KW capacity and can serve for more than twenty years at almost negligible running cost. The solar-based micro irrigation system would not only save electricity and water usage considerably but also prove to be economical for farmers,” he added.
Khurana said that the administration will conduct drives to encourage farmers of the district for community irrigation, adding that the district administration would make available infrastructure in those areas which switch over to solar water pumps. “We hope to get a budget for this scheme in the next financial year under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) Scheme,” he further said.
Source: energy.economictimes.indiatimes
