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

15 Sep 2025

Cabinet Approves Key Highway and Rail Projects in Bihar Region

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the four-laning of the 84.2-km Mokama-Munger section of the Buxar-Bhagalpur high-speed corridor, a key industrial region in poll-bound Bihar. The Cabinet also sanctioned the doubling of the 177-km Bhagalpur-Dumka-Rampurhat railway line, which passes through Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, at a cost of Rs 31.7 billion.The Rs 44.5 billion highway project will be constructed under the hybrid annuity model, a variant of public-private partnership. The Mokama-Munger stretch was the only remaining two-lane section of the 363-km Buxar-Bhagalpur corridor. Fou..

Infrastructure Transport

15 Sep 2025

NGT Issues Notice on Bengaluru Twin Tunnel Project

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday issued notices in response to a petition filed by Bengaluru Praja Vedike and others, challenging the Bengaluru twin tunnel road project. Petitioners claim the project was “hastily announced” and bypassed mandatory environmental impact assessment procedures.Notices have been served to the Karnataka Government, Greater Bengaluru Authority, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-SMILE), the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and project consultants.The 16.74-km twin-tube..

Real Estate

15 Sep 2025

India’s Residential Sales to Dip Slightly in FY26

Residential sales in India’s seven major cities are projected to decline by up to 3 per cent year-on-year in FY26 to 620–640 million square feet (msf), amid a moderation in sales velocity, according to ratings agency Icra.In FY25, sales stood at 643 msf, down 8 per cent YoY, following a sharp contraction in new launches and moderated demand in the affordable and mid-income segments. This slowdown came after the sector posted a robust compound annual growth rate of 26 per cent in area sales between FY22 and FY24.Icra noted: “Having seen a strong upcycle, the sector entered an equilibrium ..