Chandigarh, Jul 27 (IANS): Following the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Mandi Board will install solar power plants in all the mandis to provide affordable electricity across the state.

This has been stated by Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, while chairing a meeting with senior officials of the department here on Wednesday.

Dhaliwal ordered the officials to start the work of installing solar power plants in all grain and vegetable markets at once in the state.

Officials said under a pilot project net metering roof top solar power plant in four mandis are being installed and such solar power plants will be installed in 23 mandis.

The minister said a project report should be prepared for all grain and vegetable markets for setting up net monitoring solar power plants so that the people can be provided with affordable electricity. He directed to install sheds on which solar panels could be installed easily.

The minister also issued instructions to take action to strengthen the link roads and make them 18 feet wide under the Mandi Board.

Along with this, he said that the damaged link roads should be repaired immediately.