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More battery-run three-wheelers soon in Puducherry, says official

Rajesh Nair

PUDUCHERRY: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Sources through its nodal agency here will run more zero emission battery-run three-wheelers in the coming years, according to N.P. Singh, adviser to the Ministry.

The Ministry had already supported several self-help groups (SHGs) to operate such vehicles within the town. Thirty-six vehicles were already on the road and the Ministry would sanction another five in about two months, he said. Five more applications from SHGs for operating the vehicles were pending with the Ministry, he said. The Union Ministry was giving a subsidy of Rs. 80,000 and State Governments Rs. 20,000 to SHGs to buy the vehicles. The vehicle costs about Rs. 3.5 lakh and the remaining amount the SHGs had to manage through loan, he said. The Ministry had set apart Rs. 5 crore for promoting such vehicles in the country.

Mr. Singh was on a visit to review the progress made in the construction of the renewable energy park and preparations for celebrating the Rajiv Gandhi Renewable Energy Day on August 20.

He said the Ministry had drawn a detailed plan to promote renewable energy sources to combat global warming. Through various sources of renewable energy, the Ministry produced 10,000 MW of electricity. Over 40 lakh biogas plants and 10 lakh solar systems had been promoted, he said. He also met Chief Secretary Pradip Mehra and A. Anbarassu, Secretary to the Government, and discussed various aspects concerning the Ministry.

D. Selvi, Project Director, Renewable Energy Agency, Puducherry, who briefed him, said hundred solar streetlights were being installed in primary health centres in the Union Territory with the assistance of the Ministry.

On Rajiv Gandhi Renewable Energy Day, various programmes like marathon, rallies, essay writing, painting and quiz competitions would be conducted, she said.

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More battery-run three-wheelers soon in Puducherry, says official

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