India’s first solar-based integrated water supply project launched

Appreciating the initiative by the local community to make the project sustainable, whereby the village water and sanitation committee through gram sabha decided to raise minimum water tariff, Khandu said “in order to ensure sustainability of the water project park local villagers have agreed to share responsibility in management of the assets in the park”.

During the launch event, Khandu also launched the “Arunachal Jal Sankalp”, a state government dedicated flagship programme to supplement the Jal Jeevan Mission and to sustain the drinking water systems.

India’s first solar-based integrated multi-village water supply project (IMVWSP) has been launched in Arunachal Pradesh. The lift water supply project for 39 villages in Lower Dibang Valley district in northeastern Arunachal Pradesh has been commissioned at a cost of Rs 28.50 crore.

Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the project and said the same was the first of its kind in India.

“The project is as per Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for utilisation of multiple resources,” said Shekhawat, adding that the model should be replicated in other parts of the country too.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said the project is designed to provide drinking water to 17,480 people and has been conceived as an integrated project with an element of drinking water, green energy and tourism component in it.

The innovative project uses green energy-solar grid, SCADA automation system, pre-fabricated zinc alum storage tank and HDPE conduit for mains, sub-mains and distribution networking system. It also has an amusement park including swimming pool, amphi-theatre, fountains and sit outs.

“The project envisages promotion of tourism in the area which would enhance the living standard of the people and thus help in boosting rural economy,” Khandu said.