MUMBAI : Both Central and Western Railway announced on Sunday that they are playing an active role in achieving the mission of reducing carbon footprint and moving towards net zero carbon emission by 2030.
The CR announced that it has increased the share of green energy — 106.4 MW wind energy and 241 MW solar energy to meet its energy requirements. “We have also achieved 100% electrification on all broad gauge routes (3825 route kilometres) thereby reducing 5.2 tons of their carbon footprint every year and will also save Rs 1,670 crore annually,” said CR chief public relations officer Shivaji Sutar. “The pace of railway electrification, which is environment friendly and reduces pollution, has increased at 9X speed since 2014,” he added.
Central Railway is presently taking 56.4 MW wind power from M/s NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd and Pavan Energy from the wind plants set up at Sangli in Maharashtra, he said. Apart from wind power, CR was also making efforts to source solar power for railway traction purposes.
On Western Railway, officials announced that in the past one year, it has procured 551.7million units of green energy from renewable sources. “In order to enhance green energy initiatives, WR will procure 19 MW solar power from Rewa Ultra Mega Solar (RUMS) plant this year under long term open access,” said WR chief spokesperson Sumit Thakur. Recently, WR achieved 91% electrification.
Source : TNN
