Skip to main content

Cochin doing Surya Namaskar!

For more than a year now, I’ve been travelling by train to my native on a weekly basis and been crossing the vast expanse of land adjoining the Cochin International Airport. Initially, when I saw people at work and panels, I thought it was some airport extension business but now I know that Cochin was prepping to mark its place in the world history, technically.

When stray dogs and their ‘rights’ or freedom to kiss in public or a celebrity’s wedding can take up so much attention and writing space, I thought this definitely deserved a little more attention than just a headline - “India’s Cochin is the World’s First Solar-Powered Airport”.

If humanity is to survive, it's going to have to embrace alternative forms of energy and ditch carbon at a real fast pace. India's making a pretty big stride in that direction after declaring Cochin International Airport as the world's first facility of its kind that runs entirely on solar power.



So I am just putting together some facts that I have read over the week about this milestone for everyone who left it at the headline with a smile.

  • Cochin is the seventh busiest airport in India by passenger load, ferrying almost 7 million people in the past year. It was the first airport in India to be constructed in public-private-partnership (PPP) model in 1999. It is the only PPP airport in the country.

  • All of the airport's energy requirements are met - thanks to a roof-mounted installation on the terminal, as well as a solar plant beside the cargo warehouse.

  • 46,150 panels that spread across 45 acres and generates 12MW -- with any excess power being pushed back into the local grid. The plant was installed by the Kolkata-based Vikram Solar Pvt. Ltd. The project was executed by Bosch Ltd at a cost of Rs.62 crore in about six months.
  • This green power project will not result in any carbon dioxide emissions over the next 25 years. It will produce clean source of energy equivalent to non-clean energy produced from coal fired power plants by burning more than 3 lakh metric tonnes of Coals. This plant is also equivalent to planting 30 lakh trees.


India has much to be proud of. Last year, it became the first to reach Mars on its initial attempt. It boasts a thriving pharmaceutical industry that produces low-cost medications that are desperately needed by the developing world. And in his first year in office, Modi launched an ambitious plan to make India a leader in solar power and CIAL has paved way to get inspired.



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Holding hands through changing contexts

 A few years ago, my two friends and I bonded over snacks and chat during our recess at school. Each of us struggled with different types of math problems, we had different dreams to chase, and we struggled with different challenges. Then one day we took off to different places to chase our dreams. Of course, we made promises to stay in touch; we shed tears because we thought we can’t live without each other, and we made our parents promise us national roaming plans so that we could talk our hearts out. Fast forward – more than a decade later - multiple milestones, wins, and falls later – we three managed to transcend and keep it together. Technology nurtured our bond and it worked fine. Then one day, we decided to take some time to catch up in person in another country. It was a dream and fortunately, it was simply beautiful. On reflecting upon my experience of being part of a close group for so many years, I penned down a few things before and after the trip – BEFORE When we ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Motion in Emotion - It is for a reason

Over the years, I have observed that doing extraordinary things is sometimes a little easier than doing the ordinary and necessary. We often deliver projects well or achieve more than our target for the month but would not have managed to make our bed, cook our meal or take a walk. In the literal sense, extraordinary is that which needs a little extra but looks like we're living in a time where the extra is what the ordinary tasks require.  Over the last decade, health has been a portfolio where I've tried to invest consistently. My personal experiences within the family, watching some near one's bargain for more time and witnessing some hitting the finish line, have been growing on me steadily. Even in the most casual conversations, when I hear a statement or comment where the body and life we have is taken for granted, it gets me restless and sad.  I always embraced routine and the ordinary. It genuinely helps me even through the days when my extraordinary plans don't...
Post a Comment
Read more

my idea of Magical Acting Moments

When someone came up with  a list of  '50+ things only a Proud Mallu will understand', the first on list was a photo of Mohanlal with the caption - 'This man is part of your daily life. Literally!’ That says it all. Even after a series of uninspiring movies, how his brilliance on screen continues to leave so many in admiration.  So this particular post will cater to a smaller group. To be specific – malayalis and those who follow Malayalam cinema. To be a little more specific – malayalis who likes the actor in Mohanlal. I thought when I say he is my personal favourite, I should be able to pick some screen moments that made me a lalettan fan!   Here's a look back at some of the magical acting moments - my most favorite ones - from a career that has entertained , enlightened and amazed us for last 30+ years. 10. SUMMER IN BETHLEHEM - The Stunning Cameo As Niranjan  'Naalu vayassukaariyaya ayalude makalude attu poya kunjikkai ente dehathaanu vannu veena...
2 comments
Read more