Yes You Heard It Right! India Has Its First Solar Powered Expressway
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The Delhi-Meerut expressway (part of India’s first smart and green highway – Eastern Peripheral Expressway or EPE) connecting Delhi to the eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh, which was inaugurated by PM Modi is expected to reduce commute time to just 45 minutes from 2-4 hours earlier. The first phase of the project, built at a cost of INR 842 crore has vertical gardens with solar system that will be used to power the way. The total project cost is expected to cross INR 7500 crore.
The expressway is first of its kind to be built in India with 2.5 meter wide cycle track and a provision of 1.5 meter footpath for pedestrians. Starting from Nizamuddin Bridge to Uttar Pradesh border the expressway has a 6-lane expressway and 4+4 lane highway. The project has been completed in a record time of 17 months.
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The Delhi-Meerut expressway is the first bridge in the country having vertical gardens with solar power system and drip irrigation. Solar power will be used on the entire length of 135 km for lighting the underpasses, street lights and running solar pumps for watering plants and trees. Rainwater harvesting has also been provided at every 500 meters on the EPE. Eight solar power plants with a capacity of 4 MW have been used.
The expressway is one of the most ambitious infrastructure project undertaken by India till date. Not only will it reduce the commute time for travelers but will also reduce pollution levels in the city by diverting the traffic not destined for Delhi, and using solar power and green plantations. The Delhi-Meerut expressway is signal free which in turn will also reduce pollution as there will be no traffic congestion. This expressway is all ready to set records for being an environment-friendly expressway with smart safety features and interactive infrastructure such as intelligent highway traffic management system (HTMS) and video incident detection system (VIDS). India needs more such plans to save her cities.
We have read stories from the west about different solar applications and how they are helping to reduce pollution worldwide. The world’s first solar road was built in Netherlands and went live in 2015, generating 70 kWh of energy per square meter annually. This 230 foot “SolaRoad” as it is popularly called, is made up of two layered safety glass solar cells and was originally built for cycling. Also read about Floating Solar Homes – aesthetically beautiful, eco-friendly and anti-polluting houses.