The Railway Board recently announced that Indian Railways are progressing towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. 

According to the Railway Board, they have reported about the plans to grant net-zero status to Railway Premises all over the country with attention towards meeting the demand of Railways’s energy through renewable energy sources.  

A major step towards this goal has been achieved by the Northeast Frontier Railway zone, which has successfully converted its buildings into net-zero carbon structures.

Under the Ministry of Power, The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has observed six buildings in the zone as Net Zero Energy Buildings, awarding them the ‘Shunya Label’. 

Renewable energy production has grown significantly from 2014 to 2024. As of June 30, 2024, Indian Railways solar energy production capacity reached 238 MW, and wind energy production capacity increased 103 MW. 

This was a remarkable increase from 2014 with solar energy being 3.68 MW and wind energy being 10.5 MW. 

Indian Railways is operating trains from renewable energy as well as powering railway stations and buildings with solar energy.  According to current data, more than 1950 railway stations are being operated by solar energy. 

The board mentions their plans which include powering trains with green energy. Further, an increase in the budget related to railways by the Central Government explains that production of renewable energy by Indian Railways will boost rapidly.  

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