MARGAO
Margao-based government and aided schools may soon become solar powered and play host to water harvesting if the Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) and Water Resources Department (WRD) have their way.
Upon a request made by Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, GEDA and WRD officials have inspected some of the city schools to find out the feasibility of setting up solar panels and water harvesting systems at these educational institutions.
The Margao MLA told the media after inaugurating the renovated well at the Margao zonal agriculture department ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi that all the city-based government and aided schools would soon have solar panels to generate electricity.
“This ambitious project will be executed by GEDA as part of an ambitious plan to generate solar power in the state,” he said.
He added: “The solar energy project will be taken up in the schools that have issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) in support of the project.”
Stating that Water Resources Department Minister Subhash Shirodkar has promised to make a big push for water harvesting in city schools, Kamat said that the project will not only help conserve water, but also raise awareness among school children on water conservation.
“It’s often said that the next war would be fought on water. Against this backdrop, every effort should be made to conserve water. Water harvesting in the schools will not only help conserve water, but send the right message to the children on water conservation,” he said.
While thanking Power Minister Ramkrishna Dhavlikar and WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar for extending support in extending the scheme on solar energy and water conservation respectively, Kamat said the government has already begun implementing the well renovation scheme in Margao.
“We have taken up two wells for renovations, near the Ram Mandir, Aquem and the well at the Margao Agriculture office. These two wells have been traditionally used by the local residents for immersion of Lord Ganesha idols, but they have been craving for attention,” he said.
He said that the well at the Agriculture Department office has not only been renovated, but the approach road to the well has been redone ahead of the festival, while thanking officials of the WRD and the contractor for completing the work before the Ganesh festival.
