Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 27: In a landmark step towards sustainable infrastructure, Indian Railways has rolled out India’s first solar-powered railway tracks at Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) in Varanasi. A 70-metre stretch has been fitted with 28 high-strength photovoltaic panels capable of producing 15 KWp of electricity — all without occupying extra land.

The ministry of railways, sharing images of the installation on social media, called the innovation a move ‘towards green and sustainable rail transport’.

What makes this initiative significant is its land-neutral approach. Unlike conventional solar farms, these panels are installed within the existing track space, avoiding the need to acquire large land parcels — a major constraint in urban and rural India alike.

Smart design, seamless maintenance

Designed for practicality, the solar panels lie flush with the tracks, minimising obstruction and ensuring uninterrupted train operations. The setup is modular, allowing panels to be removed and reinstalled quickly for routine inspections or emergency maintenance.

Officials noted that the panels are engineered to endure vibrations from passing trains, exposure to dust, heat and monsoon rains, and the harsh conditions of the rail environment — making them more rugged than rooftop or open-field solar units.

“This dual-use model offers tremendous potential for a country like India. It enables energy generation without expanding our land footprint,” a senior railway official said.

Potential for massive scale

Though the current output is modest, the concept is scalable. Indian Railways spans over 1.2 lakh kilometres, and large sections could be adapted to produce hundreds of megawatts of solar power. The energy could support not just stations and depots, but also auxiliary systems such as signalling, lighting, and electrification.

The move aligns with India’s national goal of reducing its carbon footprint. Indian Railways, one of the largest electricity consumers in the country with an annual use of nearly 20 billion units, has pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

By integrating solar into its infrastructure, the Railways could reduce dependence on conventional power and even supply surplus energy to the grid.

Global parallels

A similar project is underway in Switzerland, where start-up Sun-Ways, in collaboration with federal technology institute EPFL, has developed solar panels that unroll on tracks like a carpet. A three-year trial begins in 2025 in Neuchâtel.

“There are over a million kilometres of railway lines in the world. We believe 50 per cent could be equipped with our system,” said Sun-Ways co-founder Baptiste Danichert, speaking to Sustainability Magazine.

A modest start, but high impact

Though the Varanasi project is currently a pilot, it signals the beginning of a transformative approach to clean energy. If scaled, Indian Railways could evolve from a major power consumer into a producer of green electricity, setting a global example in sustainable transport.