On January 6, 2021, The Union Cabinet gave nod to several proposals including Phase 2 of Green Energy Corridor and MoU with Nepal for constructing bridge over Mahakali River.
Green Energy Corridor Phase 2
- Government approved phase 2 of the green energy corridor under the “intra-state transmission system” for facilitating grid integration and power evacuation of around 20 gigawatts of renewable energy projects across 7 states.
- The project is likely to help in achieving the target of 450 GW installed renewable energy capacity by 2030.
- Project will also contribute to long term energy security of India.
- It will add around 10,750 circuit kilometres of transmission lines and 27,500 Mega Volt-Amperes transformation capacity of substations.
Financial Assistance
Total estimated cost of phase 2 of the “Green Energy Corridor” project is Rs 12,031 crore. Central government is providing financial assistance at 33% of project cost.
Which states will be covered under the project?
Phase 2 of the Green Energy Corridor project will cover states of Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
India-Nepal MoU on Bridge over Mahakali River
Cabinet also approved a memorandum of understanding between India and Nepal. The MoU provides for construction of a bridge over River Mahakali. This bridge will help the people living in Dharchula district of Uttarakhand as well as in the area under Nepal territory.
Mahakali River
The Mahakali River is also known as Kali River or Sharda River. The river originates at Kalapani in the Himalayas at an altitude of 3,600 m. It originates in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. It flows along the Nepal’s western border with India. River has a basin area of 14,871 km2. River takes the name “Kali” from the union of two streams at Gunji. It enters the Terai Plains after Brahmadev Mandi near Tanakpur and here it is called Sharda River. Sharda River has been named after Sarada, which is another name for Goddess Saraswati. In Nepal, the river is called as “Mahakali” while in Uttarakhand it is called as Kali Ganga.