The heritage legacy of the City Beautiful seems to a major stumbling block in the execution of solar city initiatives.
After the much-hyped solar tree proposal went up in smoke, another proposal to light up city’s prominent tourist spot Sukhna lake with solar-powered lights has been put in cold storage. As Sukhna lake falls in proposed heritage zone, the UT Urban Planning Department has raised objection on the proposal stating that project may violate the sanctity of proposed heritage zone.
The UT Science and Technology Department had proposed to set up a solar photovoltaic (SPV) power plant of 100 KWp (Kilowatts-peak) at lake Sports Complex with battery bank. This SPV power plant was to supply 20 KW load for pathway lighting at Sukhna lake at night and remaining power was to be utilised for Sports Complex.
Nevertheless, the UT Urban Department was of the opinion of not setting up a SPV power plant at lake Sports Complex and hence, turned down UT Science and Technology Department’s request. This is for the second time, when the UT Urban Planning Department and UT Science and Technology Departments have locked horns over the installation of solar photovoltaic (SPV) plant projects in the city.
Earlier, the UT Urban Planning Department had rejected the ambitious proposal of the UT Science and Technology Department for installation of solar tree, a decorative means of producing solar energy near Sukhna lake. While rejecting the proposal, the UT Urban Planning Department had asked the UT Science and Technology Department to find another place in the city to set up this tree.
At that time also, the Urban Planning Department had stated, “Since the area near Sukhna lake comes under proposed heritage zone, the installation of solar tree can not be allowed here. The installation of a solar tree is also likely to affect the migratory birds coming to the Sukhna lake every year.” later, the UT Science and Technology Department had decided not to embark on the innovative project of ‘Solar tree’.
While contacted, Santosh Kumar, Director UT Science and Technology Department said, “The UT Urban Planning Department has rejected the proposal to light up Sukhna lake with solar powered lights.” He said, “The Department had proposed to install solar photo voltaic (SPV) power plants of 100 KWP at lake Sports Complex. This was to supply solar power for pathway lighting at Sukhna lake at night and the balance power was to be utilised for Sports Complex.”
“However, the UT Urban Planning has turned down our request citing that the area is under proposed heritage zone of Chandigarh,” he added. Notably, 13 heritage zones were proposed in UT Administration’s report to preserve architectural heritage of Chandigarh. The proposed heritage Zone-I extends from outer boundaries on the north-west side of Rajendra Park covering all areas along it and extending to the south-west extremities under the administrative control of the UT Administration. The area is bound on its south-west extremities by Uttar Marg and north-east extends to lower range of Shivalik Hills covering all natural environmental features and landmarks including catchment area of the Sukhna lake and Wildlife Sanctuary etc.
The heritage precinct in the heritage Zone-I includes Rajendra Park, Capitol Complex, lake Club, Sukhna lake and lake Promenade.