UP govt to install solar power plants on Bundelkhand Expressway

19 Aug 2024 CW Team

Saurabh Kumar, Vice-Chairman, GEAPP, confirmed the findings and the project's approval. On August 9, Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi and Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh engaged with various stakeholders and solar energy experts in Lucknow to discuss the project's details.

GEAPP is now assisting the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) with the bidding process, with the project expected to be ready for commissioning within the next 15 months. UPEIDA has also requested GEAPP to conduct similar studies for four other expressways in the state, with the Bundelkhand Expressway project set to become a model for future developments.

The project, estimated to cost around Rs 18 billion, will see solar power plants installed along a 15-meter-wide strip on both sides of the expressway. The electricity produced is expected to cost between Rs 4 and Rs 4.50 per unit. This initiative will not only electrify the expressway but also potentially lead to the installation of electric charging stations, addressing a significant barrier to the adoption of electric vehicles.

In addition to providing clean energy, the project is expected to benefit nearby villages and create employment opportunities, enhancing both the functionality and aesthetics of the expressway. Despite challenges such as limited land availability due to agriculture, the arid regions of Bundelkhand hold significant potential for renewable energy development.

GEAPP, supported by foundations like Rockefeller, Ikea, and the Bezos Earth Fund, is working globally to assist developing countries in their transition to green energy.

(ET)

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced plans to install solar power plants along both sides of the 296-km Bundelkhand Expressway. A study conducted by the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) revealed that 450 MW of solar power could be generated through installations along the highway. This detailed project report (DPR) has received approval from the state government. Saurabh Kumar, Vice-Chairman, GEAPP, confirmed the findings and the project's approval. On August 9, Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi and Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh engaged with various stakeholders and solar energy experts in Lucknow to discuss the project's details. GEAPP is now assisting the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) with the bidding process, with the project expected to be ready for commissioning within the next 15 months. UPEIDA has also requested GEAPP to conduct similar studies for four other expressways in the state, with the Bundelkhand Expressway project set to become a model for future developments. The project, estimated to cost around Rs 18 billion, will see solar power plants installed along a 15-meter-wide strip on both sides of the expressway. The electricity produced is expected to cost between Rs 4 and Rs 4.50 per unit. This initiative will not only electrify the expressway but also potentially lead to the installation of electric charging stations, addressing a significant barrier to the adoption of electric vehicles. In addition to providing clean energy, the project is expected to benefit nearby villages and create employment opportunities, enhancing both the functionality and aesthetics of the expressway. Despite challenges such as limited land availability due to agriculture, the arid regions of Bundelkhand hold significant potential for renewable energy development. GEAPP, supported by foundations like Rockefeller, Ikea, and the Bezos Earth Fund, is working globally to assist developing countries in their transition to green energy.(ET)

Infrastructure Transport

14 Oct 2025

Versova-Dahisar Coastal Road Project to Impact 1,200 Trees

The Versova-Dahisar Coastal Road Project in Mumbai will affect over 1,200 trees, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Of these, 990 trees will be replanted, while the remaining will be cut down due to construction requirements. The project, which forms a key extension of the on-going Mumbai Coastal Road corridor, aims to ease traffic congestion in the western suburbs and enhance north-south connectivity along the city’s coastline. The BMC has assured that replantation efforts will be carried out in designated areas to maintain ecological balance and offset the environm..

Infrastructure Transport

14 Oct 2025

New Entry-Exit Planned on Vadodara–Mumbai Expressway near Ankleshwar

The Vadodara–Mumbai Expressway is set to get a new entry and exit point near Ankleshwar, aimed at improving regional connectivity and reducing travel time for commuters in south Gujarat. The new interchange, proposed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), will offer smoother access to nearby industrial and residential areas. The project forms part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana initiative, designed to strengthen India’s expressway network and boost economic corridors. Once operational, the new interchange is expected to enhance logistics efficiency by offering improved freight..

Infrastructure Transport

14 Oct 2025

PMRDA Launches Rs 5,580 Mn Road Upgrade Plan to Ease Chakan Traffic

The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has launched Rs 5,580 million road infrastructure upgrade plan to address severe traffic congestion in the Chakan industrial region. The initiative aims to improve connectivity between Pune and major industrial hubs, including Talegaon, Moshi, and Alandi. Under the plan, PMRDA will widen existing roads, construct new link roads, and improve junctions across the Chakan–Talegaon and Moshi-Alandi corridors. These measures are expected to streamline the movement of goods and workers, benefiting the area are automotive and manufacturing ..