Jagannath temple to be lit up by solar power

Ministry of non-conventional energy has sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for installation of solar power system in the 12th century shrine, executive engineer of central electricity supply utility (CESU), Puri, R C Swain said.

A four-member team constituted for the purpose visited the temple today to make an assessment of the feasibility and other parameters for the purpose.

The team led by K C Mohapatra, former chairman of erstwhile Orissa State Electricity Board (OSEB), had also members from Orissa Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA), CESU and West Bengal Electricity Board, he said.

The temple administration was spending Rs 1.80 per month towards payment of electricity bill and after installation of solar energy system the amount could be saved, he said.

The new system which would provide, besides other utilities, uninterrupted light and cold and hot water in the premises, would help reduce global warming, conservation of energy, he said.