Varanasi will be India's first truly green city

NEW DELHI: The government is planning to initiate a new plan to reduce the carbon footprints of Varanasi - Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency. On the anvil are solar power generation plants and green energy initiatives to reduce the holy city's dependence on fossil fuel.

The move comes on the initiative of Piyush Goyal, minister for new and renewable energy. According to sources, Goyal had recently visited Germany and was impressed with with green energy initiatives undertaken by the European country. The ministry has now undertaken to examine the possibility of going completely green in Varanasi. The plan would be discussed in detail on Thursday at a meeting in the ministry.

The Centre has been keeping a close watch on implementation of urban development programmes. Sanitation and solid waste management unit at Ives would be closely linked to Varanasi 's bid to go green. Secretary (urban development) D S Mishra reviewed the progress of works in Varanasi with divisional commissioner Nitin Gokarn on Tuesday. The works have seen significant progress since BJP government has come to power.