Solar lighting for police stations in Kashmir

JAMMU, INDIA: Remote police stations and police buildings in Jammu and Kashmir will now be lit by solar energy for uninterrupted power supply to help "maintenance of law and order and in anti-terrorist operations," it was announced onWednesday.

According to an official spokesman, union New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah has sanctioned over Rs. 30 crores to the Jammu and Kashmir Police to install over 500 solar photovoltaic power plants at training centres, battalion headquarters, sub divisional police offices and even police stations and border police posts.

Abdullah, who is also president of National Conference that is leading a coalition with the Congress in the state, said: "The project is expected to be completed in a year's time. The installations of these power plants will enable uninterrupted power supply to the various police installations."

"In particular, reliable power supply to far-flung and remote police stations and outposts will ensure regular connectivity and quicker action in both routine law and order and anti-terrorist activities."

Earlier in December last year, some remote inaccessible and border areas along with some hospitals were ordered to get electrified through solar and wind energy in Jammu and Kashmir.

This came under Remote Village Electrification Programme (RVEP) sanctioned by Abdullah's ministry and to be commissioned by the state science and technology department.