Indian Railways Unveils First Removable Solar Panel System Between Tracks at BLW Varanasi.

National

On 15th August 2025, the Ministry of Railways (MoR) introduced India’s first removable solar panel system between railway tracks at Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, marking a major step towards sustainable green energy under Indian Railways (IR).


      - The pilot project was inaugurated at BLW’s Line No. 19 on Independence Day 2025. It represents an innovative initiative by Indian Railways to reduce carbon emissions and achieve its long-term goal of net-zero carbon neutrality.

      - The solar system has an installed capacity of 15 Kilowatt Peak (kWp), comprising 28 panels spread across 70 meters of track length. This modular design allows easy installation, removal, and maintenance without hindering train operations.

     

Main Point :-   (i) The project is expected to generate around 3.21 lakh units of power annually per kilometer, contributing to significant energy savings. The system also provides an energy density of 880 units per kilometer per day, ensuring sustainable power output.

      (ii) With a power density of 220 kWp per kilometer, the project demonstrates the feasibility of harnessing renewable energy even in constrained railway track spaces, showcasing a model that could be replicated across the country for large-scale green energy adoption.


About Indian Railways (IR)

Minister : Ashwini Vaishnaw
Headquarters: New Delhi
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