<p>Touted as a unique facility to educate young minds on the significance of renewable energy, the well-equipped park with the theme ‘Fun with Energy’, was established by the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL), in association with the Horticulture Department.<br /><br />Launched at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore in 2006 with financial assistance from the Union Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy, the project has a solar hut with a photovoltaic rooftop system, a children’s pool with a solar water heater testing facility, battery-operated vehicles to take visitors around, and a windmill that pumps borewell water, among others. <br /><br />But nothing is in a working condition.It also has a demonstration of street lighting and garden lights with a small solar panel and aero generators (miniature version of windmills) installed at various places to generate energy from wind.<br /><br />But what was to be the pride of Bangalore, lies in a shambles, with equipment broken and gathering dust.<br /><br />Swimming pool<br />The children’s swimming pool with a solar water heater is a classic example of negligence. The water from the pool is diverted for the construction of the War Memorial. <br /><br />An electric car meant to educate visitors on the advantage of renewable energy against the fossil fuel is rusted and the solar panels on display are damaged.<br />Though the park was said to be illuminated by solar panels, not a single electricity pole appeared to be functioning, as none of them has a battery and a battery chamber to store electricity.<br /><br />The condition of the solar hut, aimed at exhibiting self-reliance in energy, is pathetic, to say the least. <br /><br />If broken bamboos and fallen boards greet visitors outside, the hut in the park speaks a tale of official apathy, as none of the equipment, except the refrigerator, functions. <br /><br />Besides a broken solar cooker, heavy batteries meant to store energy need replacement; five computers, fans and four kiosks to display information about the park and renewable energy are defunct.<br />KREDL officials declined comment.<br /></p>
<p>Touted as a unique facility to educate young minds on the significance of renewable energy, the well-equipped park with the theme ‘Fun with Energy’, was established by the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL), in association with the Horticulture Department.<br /><br />Launched at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore in 2006 with financial assistance from the Union Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy, the project has a solar hut with a photovoltaic rooftop system, a children’s pool with a solar water heater testing facility, battery-operated vehicles to take visitors around, and a windmill that pumps borewell water, among others. <br /><br />But nothing is in a working condition.It also has a demonstration of street lighting and garden lights with a small solar panel and aero generators (miniature version of windmills) installed at various places to generate energy from wind.<br /><br />But what was to be the pride of Bangalore, lies in a shambles, with equipment broken and gathering dust.<br /><br />Swimming pool<br />The children’s swimming pool with a solar water heater is a classic example of negligence. The water from the pool is diverted for the construction of the War Memorial. <br /><br />An electric car meant to educate visitors on the advantage of renewable energy against the fossil fuel is rusted and the solar panels on display are damaged.<br />Though the park was said to be illuminated by solar panels, not a single electricity pole appeared to be functioning, as none of them has a battery and a battery chamber to store electricity.<br /><br />The condition of the solar hut, aimed at exhibiting self-reliance in energy, is pathetic, to say the least. <br /><br />If broken bamboos and fallen boards greet visitors outside, the hut in the park speaks a tale of official apathy, as none of the equipment, except the refrigerator, functions. <br /><br />Besides a broken solar cooker, heavy batteries meant to store energy need replacement; five computers, fans and four kiosks to display information about the park and renewable energy are defunct.<br />KREDL officials declined comment.<br /></p>
