AMRITSAR: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) today after ardas (prayer) initiated the work to install solar power plant to supply electricity at Sri Harmandar Sahib, Sri Golden Temple Complex.
The Sewa (service) of this solar plant is being done by the United Sikh Mission from the United States of America (USA).
At the inauguration of installation work of solar plant, SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur said very soon the power generation will start with solar energy for the holy shrine.
"On one hand, this will spread a message among the Sangat (devotees) to use the natural resources and on the other, it will highly reduce the electricity expenses", said Bibi Jagir Kaur. "For the time being, a solar plant of 700 kilowatts (KW) is being installed as the government did not give permission to install the same at some open space. SGPC had sought permission from the Punjab government to install the solar power plant at Gurdwara Satlani Sahib near Sri Amritsar.
In this regard, a meeting was also held with Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, but so far, the permission has not been granted", said SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur.
She said the SGPC has now initiated the work to install solar power plant at the roof of Mata Ganga Niwas inside Sri Harmandar Sahib Complex. "In the near future, when permission is received from the government, another solar power plant of 2 megawatts (MW) would be installed. If permission is granted to install solar plant of higher capacity, then apart from Sri Harmandar Sahib, more gurdwaras could be used for this purpose. The government should give the permission at the earliest", said Bibi Jagir Kaur.
On this occasion, SGPC senior vice-president Surjit Singh Bhitewad, general secretary Bhagwant Singh Sialka, SGPC members Bhai Manjit Singh Bhurakohna, Bhai Ram Singh, Bawa Singh Gumanpura, Gurnam Singh Jassal, Akali leader and other officials were present.