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Rail Budget 2015: India to Get Cleaner & Greener Railways

September 4, 2015

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The Rail Budget for 2015 has been created in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives – Swachch Bharat Mission, Make in India and Digital India and has also introduced several environmentally sustainable components. Here are the key ‘green’ highlights of Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu’s presentation of the Railway Budget.

Environment Directorate – a special cell has been set up to improve green practices in the railways.

To reduce dependence on fossil fuels, Indian Railways plans to expand sourcing of solar power by installing 1,000 MW of photovoltaic (PV) arrays at its land and buildings over the next 5 years.

LED lights and appliances will be adopted by the Railways and a detailed Energy Audit is to be carried out to identify potential for energy saving.

An additional 17,000 bio toilets will be added to the existing 17,388 bio toilets.

Indian Railways also plans to demonstrate sensitivity to wildlife by reducing noise levels in wildlife areas. This is in addition to the previously announced plans to build access points for wildlife to cross without hindering rail traffic.

As part of the water conservation mission of the railways, an audit is proposed, post which water recycling plants will be set up at major water consumption centers.