MP stresses on green energy to rein in pollution

Machilipatnam: MP Balashowry Vallabhaneni while addressing in the Lok Sabha on Thursday expressed concern over the increasing pollution levels in cities across India, particularly in major cities like Delhi.

He sought clarification from the minister concerned on the steps taken by the Central government to address pollution issues, and also enquired about the Green Energy Pumping and Renewable Fuel Programmes.

The MP recalled that during the COP-26 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated the goal of transforming India into a net-zero country by 2070, and a target of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030.

He highlighted the importance of utilising barren lands for the production of green energy and asked if the government provides guidelines for utilising productive agricultural lands for green energy programmes or if it facilitates the development of solar, wind, and pump projects.

The MP also enquired if the government encourages the use of such lands for the production of renewable energy or if it raises concerns. He asked whether the government provides guidelines for utilising productive agricultural lands for green energy programmes or facilitates the development of solar, wind, and pump projects.

In response to the question, Minister RK Singh assured that they are actively taking measures to control pollution. He stated that they are implementing initiatives with the goal of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030 and highlighted projects with a capacity of 186,000 MW in non-fossil fuels and an additional 114,000 MW capacity under construction. The minister added that there are also projects with a capacity of 55,000 MW in the bidding process.