From coal engines puffing smoke to gleaming solar-powered coaches, the Indian Railways have come a long way.

Soon, Railway coaches in India may generate most of the power to run lights and fans. Indian Railways has rolled out a non-AC coach of Rewari-Sitapur passenger train lit by solar panels installed on its roof . This is the first coach, part of its plan to harness the green source of energy in a big way.

Coaches of Shan-e-Punjab Express and Taj Express are also going to be equipped with solar power shortly, a senior Northern Railway official has said.

Railways will soon come out with a solar policy for procuring 1000 MW solar power in the next five years.

It cost about Rs 3.90 lakh for equipping the non-AC coach of Rewari-Sitapur passenger train while the Railways will save Rs 1.24 lakh per year in power cost. The saving will come from less fuels needed to run the inbuilt diesel generators that power lights and fans in trains.

Solar panels have also been provided on top of coaches of two narrow-gauge trains plying on Pathankot-Jogindernagar route in Kangra Valley section and Kalka-Shimla section on trial basis.

‘On evaluation of trial and cost benefit analysis, further study of economic viability will be undertaken,’ Railways has said. The solar panels generate about 17 units of power in a day which runs the lighting system in the coach.

Railways will be installing solar panels on non-AC coaches for a start.

Railways proposes to harness solar energy by utilising roof-top space of railway stations, other railway buildings and land including through the PPP mode as per the feasibility, the modalities of which are being worked out.

Railways has plan to generate 1000 MW solar power in the next five years. Steps are being taken to install solar plants at railway building rooftops and level crossings across the country.

According to the plan, railways proposes to install solar power plants of about 8.8 MW capacity at railway stations, railway office buildings and level crossing gates throughout the country under railway funding.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has also emphasised on promotion of sustainable development and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The generation of solar supply will help railways supply power at remote locations and saving in diesel due to reduced running of diesel generators.

Photographs: Anil Kumar Chhatri, Northern Railways, based on PTI report, redone by intern Tanushree

  Indian railways, interns