Mumbai local trains go solar: Western Railway powers 25 stations, saves 13.4 crore annually

Solar panels installed atop the platform roof at Matunga Road station. The rooftop installation is part of Western Railway’s solar power network across 25 stations and railway buildings. Pics/Rajendra B Aklekar

[popcorn number=" 13.4 CR" desc="Railways' annual savings on electricity bills" class="Default"]

[popcorn number="112 CR" desc="No. of units of power generated per year on suburban stations" class="Default"]

The next time you're waiting on Platform 6 at Vasai or squeezing into a crowded local at Borivli or Dadar, look up. The electricity powering the station may have travelled 150 million kilometres before reaching you. Western Railway's Mumbai Central division has quietly turned 25 stations and railway buildings into solar power hubs, generating more than 1.12 crore units of electricity every year and saving an estimated R13.4 crore annually. Mumbai's suburban railway now runs on sweat, steel and, increasingly, sunshine.

How it works

Solar panels installed on station roofs and platform sheds convert sunlight into electricity. The power generated is consumed by railway installations, reducing dependence on conventional grid electricity and lowering electricity bills.

Quick view

>> Daily suburban commuters: 35 lakh
>> Solar capacity installed (Mumbai division): 8532 KWp (8.53 MWp)
>> Electricity generated annually: 1.12 crore kWh
>> Annual savings: Rs 13.4 crore
>> Solar capacity added in 2025-26: 2607 KWp
>> Stations covered: 25

Where the savings come from

Suburban stations
>> Solar capacity: 1608 KWp
>> Electricity generated annually: 21.13 lakh units
>> Annual savings: Rs 2.53 crore

Non-suburban stations
>> Solar capacity: 999 KWp
>> Electricity generated annually: 13.13 lakh units
>> Yearly savings: R1.57cr

Coming next

Railway officials said an additional 2.13 MWp of solar capacity will be installed over the next two to three years.
Expected impact
>> Additional electricity generation: 27.98 lakh kWh annually
>> Additional yearly savings: Rs 3.36 cr

Biggest gainers

Suburban stations
>> Vasai
>> Virar
>> Dadar
>> Borivli
>> Mira Road

Non-suburban stations

>> Valsad Loco Shed
>> Nandurbar
>> Vapi
>> Chalthan

Benefits of solar adoption

>> Lower electricity costs for the Railways
>> Cleaner energy for station operations
>> Reduced dependence on conventional power
>> Lower carbon footprint across the railway network

Official Speak

Ramashray Pandey, Western Railway General Manager
"Well, the Sun God is directly contributing to our financial growth. What we are witnessing is nothing short of a transformation. With R13.4 crore in annual savings, solar power is no longer just an environmental statement - it is sound financial growth as well. Every panel we install brings us closer to our Net Zero targets and reduces our dependence on conventional grid power. Western Railway is deeply committed to a sustainable future, and Mumbai Central Division is leading that charge. In the coming 2-3 years, with an additional 2.13 MWp coming online, we will have built something truly remarkable - a railway network that doesn't just move people; it moves the needle on climate action. The sun has always been there. We've just finally put it to work."

Top solar-powered suburban stations

Station Capacity Annual savings
Vasai PF 6/7 375 KWp Rs 59.13 lakh
Virar PF 5/6 175 KWp Rs 27.59 lakh
Dadar PF 6/7 153 KWp Rs 24.13 lakh
Borivli PF 8/9 151 KWp Rs 23.81 lakh
Mira Road 125 KWp Rs 19.71 lakh
Goregaon PF 4/5 100 KWp Rs 15.77 lakh
Kandivli 100 KWp Rs 15.77 lakh
Matunga Road 100 KWp Rs 15.77 lakh
Mahalaxmi PF 1/2 100 KWp Rs 15.77 lakh

Rs 13.4CR
Railways' annual savings on electricity bills