Kanaka Durga temple officials fail to maintain solar system

Vijayawada: In a move to bring down the consumption of paid electricity to Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada, the Agri Gold management had donated 45 solar panels and batteries worth Rs 25 lakh two years ago. But they were not maintained by temple authorities. The temple authorities were able to produce 10 KW of power daily as backup or for its personal use.

Soon after the announcement by city municipal commissioner G. Veerapa-ndian on solar city, the issue got the needed importance as the temple was the first of its kind to install the solar power system in the city.

Temple insiders said, nearly Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 was reduced in the temple’s electricity bill after the solar system was installed. However, the concerned officials said that the solar system was not suitable for the temple. They added that “the power from the panels can produce electricity up to 3 pm as the hill stops rays from reaching the panels after that.”

Asked about the maintenance, the officials told this newspaper that the management had ensured a weekly cleaning programme by the staff.

A devotee A. Ravi Shankar, said, “For us and for our future generations, we need an eco-friendly atmosphere and have to utilise alternative energy sources. The temple authorities have to think over this and go for more solar panels.”

Meanwhile, the management is planning to utilise solar energy to power the kitchens for preparing prasadams and anna prasadams. There is a proposal to install one more solar plant with a capacity of 1 MW at Vedapaatashala, in Poranki.