Source: India.com
In view of rising threat to the environment, the Indian Railways launched an environmentally friendly train on Friday. This 1600 HHP solar DEMU train is not only eco-friendly but will also have financial benefits. The train will have a sitting capacity of 89 per people per coach will be operational from Saturday.
It is a 10 coach train two motor coaches and eight passenger coaches. The total cost of the train is Rs 13.54 crore — eight coaches of Rs 1 crore each, two motor coaches of Rs 2.5 crore each and solar panels on 6 coaches of Rs 9 lakh each. The move will save diesel equivalent of Rs 2 lakh per coach per annum. It will result in a reduction in 9 tonnes of carbon dioxide emission per coach per annum. Nearly Rs 672 crore will be saved per annum.
Stationed at platform number 1 of Safdarjung Railway station, the train will travel from Sarai Rohilla station in Delhi to Garhi Harsaru Junction, Farukh Nagar in Haryana. It will replace the existing non-solar powered panel on the same route. However, there has been no fare change, the travel will take about one-and-half hours. For the comfort of the passengers, the railways have also installed cushioned seats and racks for luggage and a display board in each coach.
This train will have 16 solar panels of 300-watt capacity each in a coach. The energy generated through the panel will be stored in batteries even during the night. The train is built at Integral Coach Factory in Chennai with a life of 25 years.