Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, concluded a two-day visit to Gujarat on April 28, 2025, during which he emphasised India’s vision for sustainable energy development and held a series of high-level meetings and site visits. The visit underscored the central government’s focus on nuclear and renewable energy as critical pillars in the country’s roadmap towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
A key highlight of the Minister’s visit was the Consultative Committee meeting of the Ministry of Power held in Gujarat on April 28, 2025. Chaired by Manohar Lal, the meeting focused on the “Roadmap for Development of Nuclear Power Generation.” In his opening remarks, the Minister reiterated India’s strong commitment to transitioning towards a low-carbon economy and underlined the essential role of non-fossil fuel-based power generation, particularly nuclear energy, in reducing emissions from the power sector. With power generation contributing over 40% of global energy-related emissions, the Minister emphasised that nuclear energy, as a stable and clean source, will be instrumental in meeting the country’s growing energy needs sustainably.
During the visit, Manohar Lal also met with the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel, at his official residence in Gandhinagar. The leaders discussed a wide range of issues related to the power and urban development sectors in the state. The Minister also held a dedicated meeting with Gujarat’s Minister of Energy, Kanu Desai, to review ongoing and planned energy initiatives in the state. A key focus of this meeting was on expediting critical transmission infrastructure projects, particularly resolving Right of Way (RoW) issues at Vataman and Pirana, essential for power evacuation from upcoming renewable energy sources.
Both leaders discussed strategies to strengthen Gujarat’s energy transmission network and agreed to fast-track pending land acquisition processes to avoid delays in project implementation. The state government also committed to accelerating the rollout of the smart metering program, which is expected to enhance transparency, efficiency, and service delivery in the power sector. The Minister appreciated Gujarat’s proactive role in aligning with the Centre’s clean energy and infrastructure goals, and acknowledged the state’s support for the Ministry of Power’s simplified RoW guidelines.
On April 28, Manohar Lal visited the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project, gaining firsthand insight into the progress and operations at one of India’s key nuclear power facilities. The visit reinforced the Union Government’s strategic focus on expanding nuclear power capacity to meet the growing energy demand with minimal environmental impact.
The Minister also paid a visit to Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU), where he was briefed on the university’s cutting-edge research and hands-on training programs. He praised PDEU for its emphasis on industry-driven education and innovation, particularly through Centres of Excellence in Smart Grids, Battery Energy Storage, and Advanced Manufacturing. He toured the university’s SOPAL facility, a 45 MW solar photovoltaic assembly line developed with an investment of ₹32 crore. The Minister commended the facility for offering students practical exposure to solar manufacturing technologies and fostering a skilled workforce for the renewable energy sector.
