New Delhi, August 18: In a major step towards sustainable rail transport, Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi, has commissioned India’s first removable solar panel system installed between railway tracks. The Ministry of Railways announced on Monday that the 70-metre-long setup, comprising 28 panels with a capacity of 15 KWp, marks a milestone in green energy adoption.
Meanwhile, Indian Railways recently achieved several other operational milestones. On August 10, the first industrial salt-loaded rake was flagged off from Sanosara (Bhuj–Naliya section) to Dahej. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the initiative will create “new avenues” for the salt industry in the region. The rake, carrying 3,851.2 tonnes of industrial salt over 673.57 km, generated ₹31.69 lakh in freight earnings, according to the Ahmedabad Division.
Adding to the achievements, Western Railway on August 12 successfully commissioned the first 2x25 kV Electric Traction System in the Nagda–Khachrod section under Ratlam Division. The project, powered by two Scott-connected 100 MVA transformers, is the first of its kind in India to energise traction using advanced Scott technology.
