Rooftop Solar scheme renamed with Rs 750 billion allocation

16 Feb 2024 CW Team

Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared the rooftop solar scheme, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, with an investment exceeding Rs 750 billion. PM Modi stated on the microblogging platform X that, "In order to further sustainable development and people's well-being, the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is being launched."

The scheme, initially introduced on January 22 by the Prime Minister as Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana, aims to illuminate 10 million households, providing them with free electricity of up to 300 units monthly. It envisions substantial subsidies directly credited to the bank accounts of consumers and heavily concessional bank loans. He stated, "The central government will ensure that there is no cost burden on the people. All stakeholders will be integrated into a National Online Portal, which will further enhance convenience."

The interim budget had also proposed the rooftop solar segment, stating that 10 million households would receive up to 300 units of free electricity every month under the scheme initially proposed as Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana, with an outlay of Rs 100 billion. To promote the scheme, urban local bodies and panchayats will be encouraged to endorse rooftop solar installations in their jurisdictions, as per the Prime Minister's announcement.

Modi mentioned that the scheme would result in increased income, reduced power bills, and employment generation. Following the PM's announcement of the scheme in January, Power Minister RK Singh had stated that the Centre was aiming to raise the subsidy for rooftop solar projects for households to 60% of the capital cost from the current 40%, targeting the lower and lower-middle class. Singh also noted that all power public sector undertakings (PSUs) would implement the program by forming special purpose vehicles.

Infrastructure Urban

05 May 2026

Meghalaya And Assam Hold Talks To End Transport Stoppages In Garo Hills

Meghalaya and Assam have opened talks aimed at ending recent stoppages of commodity transport in the Garo Hills, officials said. The deputy chief minister, in charge of home affairs, reported that both state governments are coordinating to resolve disruptions and to restore normal movement of goods. He acknowledged that misunderstandings may have contributed to the incidents and that clarification between administrative units is under way. The discussions are intended to produce practical arrangements that will allow consignments to move without hindrance while respecting local procedures. The..

Kochi Metro Records 1.375 mn Rise In Passengers In FY26

Kochi Metro recorded a marginal rise in ridership in the financial year 2025-26, carrying 1.375 mn more passengers than in the previous year. The service carried 36.8 million (mn) passengers in 2025-26 compared with 35.5 mn in 2024-25, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.9 per cent. The growth was described as distributed rather than concentrated in isolated spikes. A month-wise analysis shows steady gains across quarters. In the first quarter, ridership increased from 8.57 mn to 8.84 mn, while the second quarter rose from 9.13 mn to 9.51 mn. These trends indicated broad-based improvemen..

Ghaziabad Plans 16km Metro Link To Delhi Via Hindon Airport

Ghaziabad authorities are pursuing a 16 km metro link to Delhi that will run via Hindon Airport, and a detailed project report is under way. The plan is intended to improve connectivity between Ghaziabad and the national capital and to provide an interchange with the airport. Officials said the project is being studied to assess alignments, station locations and cost estimates ahead of formal approvals and tendering. The announcement follows the inauguration of the Delhi?Faridabad metro extension, which will offer hassle free travel for around 0.2 mn daily commuters between the national capita..