New Delhi:
The Commonwealth Games village on Saturday got a dedicated power sub-station, the first green grid in north India to meet the electricity demands of the village and of two lakh people residing in nearby areas.
The Rs 40 crore 66/11 KV Commonwealth Grid Sub-station was inaugurated by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who said the facility will distribute around 50 MW electricity to the village as well as adjoining localities.
"Not only the Games Village, but the adjoining areas will get the benefit of this Grid. It draws power from Delhi as well as National Grid. There is no chance for failure as it operates on a dual system. If it cannot draw power from Delhi, it can get electricity from National Grid," Dikshit said.
She also said the Grid reflects the "green" spirit of the Games as environment-friendly fly ash bricks were used for its construction. It also has facilities for water harvesting and 30 per cent of its area have green cover, Dikshit said.
Responding to a suggestion of East Delhi MP Sandeep Dikshit, the Chief Minister said there was a need to tap solar energy also as the conventional sources cannot be there for ever.
She said by next year Delhi will have enough power and the government will do every bit to provide electricity to people but the consumers also should do their bit in conserving energy. "If every house conserves power, then there will no power deficiency in the city," Dikshit said.
She also took on those opposed to holding of Commonwealth Games here, saying there will be some expenses but the flyovers, new buses, Metro system and other development activities will stay.
"The Commonwealth Games will change the image of Delhi," Dikshit said.