In a landmark initiative to promote clean energy and water conservation, the Delhi government has announced plans to transform the Najafgarh Drain into a 30 MW canal-top solar power corridor, a first-of-its-kind project in the capital.
According to senior officials, the ambitious project will be executed in phases, with the first phase generating 5 MW of solar power over a 6-km stretch from Dhansa Border to Ghummanhera. The installation of solar panels on top of the drain is expected to reduce water evaporation and save nearly 270 million litres of water annually, contributing significantly to water conservation efforts in the city.
This green energy corridor forms a key component of the Delhi government’s plan to triple its solar power capacity by 2027. The project will follow a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, and similar proposals are under consideration for other drains, including the Barapullah and Agra Canal.
The Najafgarh Drain, one of the largest contributors to pollution in the Yamuna River, is currently undergoing desilting and rejuvenation as part of the government’s clean river initiative. Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, LG VK Saxena, and PWD Minister Parvesh Verma are personally overseeing the progress of these environmental restoration projects.
In a parallel move to monitor and control pollution, the government is installing 32 real-time water quality monitoring stations—10 along the Yamuna River and 22 at major drains across the city—to track and address contamination levels promptly.
Additionally, the Delhi Cabinet has approved enhanced solar subsidies for households:
- ₹1,08,000 subsidy for 3KW solar panel installations (up from the previous ₹78,000 with an additional ₹30,000 from the Delhi government).
- ₹10,000 subsidy for 1KW systems.
In a pioneering step, the Delhi Vidhan Sabha is also being equipped with a 500 KW solar power plant, making it the first state legislative assembly in India to be fully solar-powered.
These comprehensive initiatives underline the Delhi government’s strong commitment to sustainable urban development and position the national capital as a leader in renewable energy adoption and environmental stewardship.