Jammu, Oct 5 (KNS): Northern Railway's Jammu Division is expanding the use of solar energy across railway stations and premises, with the total installed and upcoming solar power capacity set to reach 2.55 MW, officials said on Monday.

At present, solar plants with a combined capacity of 1,745 KWp (1.745 MW) are operational at five major depots of the Jammu Division, including facilities at Jammu Railway Station and a 1 MW solar plant at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Station.

According to the Railway authorities, 18 new solar plants with a combined capacity of 808 KWp are being installed across the division. Once commissioned, the total solar power capacity will rise to 2,553 KWp (2.55 MW).

Senior Divisional Electrical Engineer Vishal Rathi said work on a 450 KWp solar plant at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Station was started by M/s Sankalp Realmart Pvt Ltd on September 12 and is scheduled to be completed by December 2026.

He said work on 13 solar plants with a combined capacity of 358 KWp at Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan Udhampur Station would also commence soon.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The Railway authorities said the expansion of solar power would help reduce carbon emissions and contribute towards a cleaner and greener railway network.

The initiative is also expected to reduce the division's annual electricity expenditure by lakhs of rupees, with the savings being utilised for improving passenger amenities, officials said.

The use of solar power would also reduce dependence on the conventional power grid and support reliable power supply at railway premises, they said.

Divisional Railway Manager, Jammu, Vivek Kumar said the division's objective was not only to operate trains but also to contribute towards a clean, green and sustainable future.

“Our goal is not just to operate trains, but to take Indian Railways towards a clean, green and sustainable future. Every station of Jammu Division will be illuminated with solar energy in the coming times and we will fulfil our responsibility towards the environment with full dedication,” he said.(KNS)