Chennai: The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has decided to establish solar power generation units on vacant temple lands across Tamil Nadu.
The department oversees temples that own land parcels statewide. Officials said the plan will focus on plots where agricultural activity is not taking place and the land remains unused, by installing solar equipment to generate electricity.
The proposal was discussed and approved at a review meeting held last month under HR&CE Minister Ramesh. Following this, the department commissioner has instructed regional joint commissioners to send details of locations where a single contiguous parcel of 10 acres or more is available.
According to a departmental circular, power generated from these solar installations can be supplied to the electricity board, helping increase temple revenue. The circular also noted that the land would remain protected.
In addition, officials have been directed to safeguard temple lands by putting up fencing.
