Guwahati: While presenting the Assam Budget 2024-25 on Monday, Finance Minister Ajanta Neog introduced the 'Green Power Generation Projects' - considered an essential pillar of the latest budget.

Essentially, these projects have been envisaged to "go green" because of current climatic changes - seen as an imminent global threat by both the state and central governments. 'The Green Budget', which is also called 'Green Growth' was first introduced in the Budget 2022-23. The federal government, which has set a target of achieving "zero emissions" by 2070, has also pulled out all the stops to promote green energy on a large scale.

Taking a leaf out of the centre's handbook, the state government here has made it mandatory for every real estate project to install rooftop solar panels to promote "sustainable development". As part of the budget, the government has also resolved to plant 3 crore saplings. Last year, the Assam government achieved a Guinness World Record by planting over one crore seedlings of commercially valuable tree species across the state on a single day on September 17. After achieving the distinction, the Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma disclosed that the government is planning to plant over 5 crore saplings in 2014 and 2025 as part of its pro-environment measures.

At the same time, initiatives are being taken to introduce more environment-friendly buses - such as CNG buses and EVs. On January 1, the Chief Minister flagged off 200 such vehicles in Guwahati, the biggest city in the region and a prominent financial hub.

Meanwhile, the Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited has also joined hands with Oil India Limited and signed agreements for green power generation projects including a 25MW solar project at Namrup. 

The Finance Minister also drew attention to the collaboration that has been made between Neyvelli Lignite Corporation India Limited and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam for a state-based renewable energy project. 

Further, the work of the Lower Kopili Hydro Electric Project will be completed by the end of this year, she said. The project is situated in the Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong districts of the state and is developed and operated by public-sector undertaking North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd (NEEPCO).

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