shot-button
Subscription Subscription
Home > Mumbai > Mumbai News > Article > Mumbai Santacruz Ram Mandir railway stations get solar power

Mumbai: Santacruz, Ram Mandir railway stations get solar power

Updated on: 24 February,2018 11:24 AM IST  |  Mumbai
Rajendra B. Aklekar | rajendra.aklekar@mid-day.com

The two become the first suburban stations to get facility, which will cut down carbon emissions by 350 tonnes a year

Mumbai: Santacruz, Ram Mandir railway stations get solar power

Solar panels have been fitted on the station roof at Santacruz station
Solar panels have been fitted on the station roof at Santacruz station


Western Railway's Santacruz and Ram Mandir (Oshiwara) railway stations will be fully functional as solar stations by February 27. While these will be the first stations to have platforms powered by solar energy, WR has earlier converted station offices at five locations to solar power.


At Santacruz station, a 100 kWp solar plant has been set up
At Santacruz station, a 100 kWp solar plant has been set up


The experiment is part of the Railway Ministry's initiative Mission 41k that aims to save Rs 41,000 crore in railways' energy costs in the next decade. The earlier experiments were done at administrative and ticket booking buildings with solar power plants of a total capacity of 362 kWp installed at PRS-Mumbai Central and Dadar, the headquarter building at Churchgate, the new station building at Andheri and the station building at Bandra Terminus.

Also read - Mumbai: First train arrives at Ram Mandir station

With the 362 KWp plant, approximately 4.75 lakh units of electrical energy will be generated every month. This will not only result in saving around Rs 24.7 lakh per annum, but will also cut down carbon emissions by 1.4 ton a day.

Rooftop panels
At Ram Mandir and Santacruz, panels have been fitted above the station roofs, at both ends of the slow line platforms; these will power lights, fans, passenger announcement systems and other amenities at the stations.

At Santacruz, a 100 kWp solar plant has been set up, while at Ram Mandir, a 146 kWp one. These grid-connected solar plants, which have been installed under a Power Purchase Agreement for 25 years at the rate of Rs 4.8 per unit, will result in approximate savings of Rs 10 lakh per annum and cut down carbon emissions by 350 tons a year.

The Central Railway too conducted a similar experiment at Asangaon, which uses solar as well as wind energy, making it a green station in the true sense. Matunga, Ambernath, Badlapur, Chembur and Mankhurd stations are next in line for the green switch. The day (February 27) is significant for the railways for another reason as well - the three army bridges at Elphinstone Road, Currey Road and Ambivli will be thrown open to public.

Rs 24.7 lakh
Annual savings with the help of the 362-kWp solar plant

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!


Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK