Ladakh government assures to take steps to implement solar projects

SRINAGAR: The Ladakh government on Wednesday assured a delegation from Changthang district that it will study the proposed 13GW solar project and find out how to take it forward after residents seek implementation.The project, approved by the central government on October 18, 2023, aims to develop transmission lines across Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana and connect them to the national grid. The project will be implemented by Power Grid Corporation of India and completed by 2029-30.A delegation from Changtang Kolzog constituency met Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra in Leh and noted that limited livelihood opportunities were forcing people to leave their villages. A spokesman for the Ladakh government said: “They emphasized that the proposed solar project is seen as a transformative opportunity for the region and expressed concern over the uncertainty and rumors surrounding its possible relocation.”The spokesperson added that since Qiangtang is now an independent region, the solar power project has huge potential in terms of job creation, income generation and regional development.