Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday inaugurated the Bikram Lock Canal Bank Solar Energy Project in Patna district, a significant milestone in Bihar’s push toward renewable energy under its Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the chief minister toured the site and reviewed the functioning and layout of the newly constructed solar facility. The project, with a generation capacity of 2 MW, has been developed along the main canal near Bikram Lock on land owned by the Water Resources Department.
Constructed without any financial burden on the state exchequer, the project will supply electricity to the Energy Department at a fixed rate of Rs 3.10 per unit for 25 years, as per an agreement with a private firm. Residents of Bikram and nearby areas are expected to benefit from clean and affordable energy.
During the visit, Nitish Kumar reiterated the state’s commitment to green energy. “We are building solar power plants on a large scale by identifying suitable sites along canals, dams, and embankments. This will reduce dependence on traditional power sources, cut down carbon emissions, and create local jobs,” he said. “Electricity has now reached every household, and we remain focused on ensuring cheap, reliable, and uninterrupted supply to the people.”
Energy Department Secretary Pankaj Kumar Pal delivered a presentation to the chief minister, providing updates on the Bikram Lock project as well as other solar initiatives underway across the state.
Several key officials accompanied the chief minister during the inspection, including Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Energy and Planning and Development Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena, and Patna District Magistrate Dr Thiagarajan SM.
