Delhi’s Water Minister Parvesh Verma recently led a site inspection and announced that the Delhi Jal Board is carrying out a detailed feasibility study. The proposal calls for four‑foot‑high side walls topped with solar panels—both to shield the water from sun exposure and to harness clean power. The project draws direct inspiration from Gujarat’s pioneering Canal Solar Power Project currently operating on the state’s Narmada canals, which saves water and generates renewable energy.
Evaporation, seepage and pollution are persistent headaches along the Munak Canal, deemed Delhi’s raw water lifeline. The Delhi Sub‑Branch sees approximately 30 per cent loss, while the Carrier‑Lined Channel loses around 5 per cent. Beyond water inefficiency, unattended canal stretches have become dumping grounds for waste and sites of accidental drowning.
The initiative combines multiple urban sustainability goals: water conservation, clean energy production, safety enhancement and public hygiene. Solar energy generated could power canal‑management infrastructure and feed surplus electricity back into Delhi’s grid.
The concept is part of a broader smart infrastructure vision—including plans to transform other waterways like the Najafgarh and Barapullah drains into solar‑power corridors. The inter‑state nature of the canal—about 85 km lies in Haryana, while 17 km lies in Delhi—means Delhi is engaging Haryana counterparts to ensure coordinated feasibility and execution.
A detailed project report (DPR) and technical designs are expected in the coming months, marking this as a pioneering pilot for capital‑city infrastructure that addresses climate‑risk and resource management in one fell swoop.
By merging water security with renewable energy and public safety, the Munak Canal solar‑cover project sets a compelling model for sustainable city‑region management. Its success may usher in a new era of equitable, resilient and low‑carbon urbanism across India.
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