Aspirant Academy

Economy

Model Answer Frameworks

Infrastructure: Power, Transportation, PPP, Externally Aided Projects

Paper I · Unit 2 Section 11 of 15 0 PYQs 42 min
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Model Answer Frameworks

5-Mark Answer Template A (50 words)

Question: What is the Bhadla Solar Park? State its significance for Rajasthan's energy sector.

Model Answer:

Bhadla Solar Park (Jodhpur district) is the world's largest solar park with 2,245 MW installed capacity across 14,000 acres in the Thar Desert. Developed by RRECL with private developers (Adani, Azure Power, SECI), it earns Rajasthan the rank-1 position among Indian states in solar capacity. Power Purchase Agreements at ₹2.44/kWh demonstrate utility-scale solar viability.

Word budget: Definition + location (15) + capacity + developer (20) + significance (10) + PPA data (10) = ~55 words

5-Mark Answer Template B (50 words)

Question: Write a brief note on Rajasthan's renewable energy target by 2030.

Model Answer:

Rajasthan's Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024 targets 115 GW renewable capacity by 2029-30 — solar, wind, and hybrid. As of December 2024, installed RE capacity is ~10 GW (solar 5,483 MW + wind 4,414 MW). The policy also targets 2,000 KTPA Green Hydrogen production. Rajasthan scored 100/100 on SDG 7 (Clean Energy) in NITI Aayog's SDG India Index 4.0 (2023-24).

Word budget: Policy + target (15) + current status (20) + green hydrogen (10) + SDG score (10) = ~55 words

10-Mark Answer Template A (150 words)

Question: Examine the role of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in Rajasthan's infrastructure development. Give examples.

Model Answer:

Introduction: Public-Private Partnership (PPP) channels private capital into public infrastructure where state budgets face constraints, combining government ownership with private efficiency.

Key Points:

  1. Rajasthan's PPP portfolio (2024-25): 198 completed projects (₹19,611 crore), 27 under implementation (₹4,080 crore), 68 in pipeline (₹71,705 crore) — total pipeline ~₹95,396 crore. Enabled under RIDEA 2024.
  2. Road sector: Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (390 km Rajasthan stretch), NH-48 four-laning under BOT Toll and HAM models. RSRDC implements highway PPPs. Hybrid Annuity Model reduces toll-risk burden on private parties.
  3. Airports: Jaipur International Terminal 2 (T2) under Adani Airport Holdings (DBFOT concession); tripled passenger capacity to 5 million per year. Udaipur expansion similarly PPP-funded.
  4. Health sector innovation: 178 dialysis centres (NephroPlus PPP), 935 ambulances (Ziqitza 108 PPP), radiology PPPs in district hospitals — Rajasthan is nationally recognized for health-sector PPP scale.

Conclusion: Rajasthan's diversified PPP model — spanning roads, airports, and healthcare — demonstrates that strategic private finance can multiply public infrastructure investment without proportionate fiscal stress.

Word budget: Intro (20) + Point 1 (35) + Point 2 (30) + Point 3 (25) + Point 4 (25) + Conclusion (20) = ~155 words

10-Mark Answer Template B (150 words)

Question: Discuss Rajasthan's power sector development with special reference to renewable energy achievements.

Model Answer:

Introduction: Rajasthan's power sector has transformed from near-chronic shortage to emerging clean energy surplus in two decades, leveraging its unique desert geography.

Key Points:

  1. Installed capacity (December 2024): 26,325.19 MW total — State Thermal 7,830 MW, Solar 5,483 MW, Wind 4,414 MW, Hydel 1,017 MW, Central allocation ~5,900 MW. Renewable energy forms ~37% of state capacity.
  2. Solar leadership: Rajasthan ranks 1st nationally in solar capacity. Bhadla Solar Park (Jodhpur) at 2,245 MW is the world's largest solar park; PPAs signed at ₹2.44/kWh demonstrate dramatic cost reduction.
  3. 2029-30 target: Rajasthan Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024 targets 115 GW renewable capacity and 2,000 KTPA Green Hydrogen production — requiring addition of ~105 GW by 2029-30.
  4. Distribution: EHV transmission network: 44,638 ckt. km, 651 EHV substations (99,432 MVA). 43,965 villages electrified; Nishulk Bijli Yojana provides 100 free units to 95.79 lakh consumers.

Conclusion: From a thermal-dependent, deficit state in 2000, Rajasthan is positioned to become India's renewable energy export hub by 2030, contingent on transmission grid scale-up.

Word budget: Intro (20) + Point 1 (35) + Point 2 (30) + Point 3 (30) + Point 4 (25) + Conclusion (20) = ~160 words