Panaji's bold roadmap: A solar-powered city in two years

23 Aug 2023 CW Team

Presently, the plan encompasses 81 residential complexes within Panaji, all earmarked for a vigorous campaign promoting solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. The ultimate goal is to transition the entire city to a state of complete reliance on renewable energy sources.

Furthermore, the deployment of solar energy will encompass diverse sectors and consumer categories within the city, effectively addressing the growing demand for electricity and promoting sustainable urban development. A high-ranking government official noted that advanced tools such as the Sun Analyzer Software were employed to conduct satellite-based assessments of Panaji's solar rooftop potential. The city has been meticulously divided into distinct zones, each scrutinised for available rooftop space on buildings. These zones have been categorised into residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental segments.

The state government is poised to formulate a comprehensive City Renewable Energy Action Plan, leveraging support from the Indo-German Energy Programme — Access to Energy in Rural Areas (IGEN-Access II), overseen by the national Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. This collaborative effort aims to provide technical expertise in the establishment of renewable energy-driven urban centres.

Central to the government's action plan is the ambitious goal of generating 34.5 megawatts of solar rooftop power, accounting for potential expansion as the city grows. Additional focal points include the complete electrification of passenger transportation through 100 per cent electric vehicles, implementation of energy-efficient measures across commercial, industrial, public, and residential sectors, and the creation of a network of off-grid charging stations with a collective capacity of 34.5 megawatts, catering to the charging needs of all electric vehicles. The plan also envisions the generation of an extra 74 megawatts through solar park installations and innovative applications.

The state government of Panaji has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to transform the city into a fully solar-powered metropolis within the next two years. The initiative revolves around the widespread adoption of solar energy solutions, primarily focusing on the installation of solar rooftop infrastructure across the urban landscape. Concurrently, efforts will be directed towards fostering public awareness about renewable energy. Presently, the plan encompasses 81 residential complexes within Panaji, all earmarked for a vigorous campaign promoting solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. The ultimate goal is to transition the entire city to a state of complete reliance on renewable energy sources. Furthermore, the deployment of solar energy will encompass diverse sectors and consumer categories within the city, effectively addressing the growing demand for electricity and promoting sustainable urban development. A high-ranking government official noted that advanced tools such as the Sun Analyzer Software were employed to conduct satellite-based assessments of Panaji's solar rooftop potential. The city has been meticulously divided into distinct zones, each scrutinised for available rooftop space on buildings. These zones have been categorised into residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental segments. The state government is poised to formulate a comprehensive City Renewable Energy Action Plan, leveraging support from the Indo-German Energy Programme — Access to Energy in Rural Areas (IGEN-Access II), overseen by the national Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. This collaborative effort aims to provide technical expertise in the establishment of renewable energy-driven urban centres. Central to the government's action plan is the ambitious goal of generating 34.5 megawatts of solar rooftop power, accounting for potential expansion as the city grows. Additional focal points include the complete electrification of passenger transportation through 100 per cent electric vehicles, implementation of energy-efficient measures across commercial, industrial, public, and residential sectors, and the creation of a network of off-grid charging stations with a collective capacity of 34.5 megawatts, catering to the charging needs of all electric vehicles. The plan also envisions the generation of an extra 74 megawatts through solar park installations and innovative applications.

Infrastructure Transport

07 Apr 2026

MP Waives Harvester Toll And Clears Two Greenfield Highways

The Madhya Pradesh government has waived the harvester toll and cleared two open-access greenfield highway projects in a move to ease rural logistics and support agricultural transport. The decisions are intended to remove a recurring cost burden on harvesters and to provide uninterrupted movement for produce from collection centres to markets. The measures form part of a broader effort to streamline freight corridors within the state and to reduce barriers to market access for growers. The cleared greenfield highways will be developed as open-access routes to permit unrestricted vehicular mov..

Infrastructure Transport

07 Apr 2026

Udaipur Highway Upgrade Approved With Welcome Gates

The state government has approved an infrastructure package for Udaipur that allocates Rs 10.2 billion (bn) to upgrades on the Pratap Nagar–Balicha corridor. The plan covers expansion of a high-level bridge on the Pratap Nagar–Balicha highway and the construction of welcome gates on all four entry points to the city. Officials indicated the works form part of a wider effort to bolster connectivity and enhance the urban gateway experience. The bridge expansion will focus on increasing carriage capacity and improving structural resilience to meet current and future traffic demands. Design el..

Infrastructure Transport

07 Apr 2026

NHAI Completes 5,313 Kilometres, Exceeds FY26 Target by 15 Per Cent

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) completed construction of 5,313 kilometres (km) of highways in the fiscal year 2025-26 (FY26), surpassing its annual construction target by 15 per cent. The achievement reflects sustained momentum in national infrastructure delivery and a focus on accelerating road connectivity across regions. The authority reported that the progress encompassed new stretches as well as augmentation of existing corridors to higher standards. The outcome was achieved amid focused scheduling and resource allocation across multiple project sites. The expanded networ..