Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 11 (IANS): In what is being billed as a pioneering initiative, all 52 jails in Kerala will now go green with the state government undertaking a Rs.25.50 crore solar power project.

The pilot project was launched by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy at the central prison here Wednesday.

All jails will now use solar power extensively, rather than grid power, which is being used for lighting and pumping of water from the jails' own source.

Additional Director General of Police (Jails) Alexander Jacob told IANS that the project had been cleared by the 13th Finance Commission and was being funded by the union power ministry.

"In under four months, all 52 jails will be ready with their own solar power," said Jacob, the brain behind this innovative project.

Jacob first shot into the limelight in November last year when he launched a sales outlet in the prison compound sells chappati and chicken curry at a throwaway price of Rs.25 per plate.

He installed a chappati-making machine and increased the production of broiler chicken from the poultry farm in the jail here.

The jail department would be saving Rs.40 lakh by using solar cooking facilities instead of LPG cylinders when the green initiative becomes functional in about four months.