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Himachal CM Urges Railways to Run Kalka-Shimla Trains on Green Hydrogen

04 Nov 2024

Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today said the state government has urged the Union Railway Ministry to explore the possibility of running the Kalka-Shimla UNESCO World Heritage Train on green hydrogen. In a letter to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, he urged the ministry to consider converting this historic rail line into a green energy-powered route. He said, "The state government aims to make Himachal Pradesh a green energy state by March 31, 2026, and has taken several initiatives to achieve this goal."

He further said that the state government is working on a six-pronged strategy to transform the state into a certified green energy state, which will significantly contribute to India's climate commitments and align with the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). This strategic shift will ensure a fair and equitable transition towards sustainable energy while boosting the state's economy.

Sukhu stated the state is moving towards replacing its current 1,500 million unit (MU) thermal power consumption with renewable sources, including hydro, solar, and wind energy. He said currently, the state consumes 13,500 MU of power, a large portion of which is already sourced from renewable sources.

Achieving 90% renewable energy consumption in the power distribution network will enable Himachal Pradesh to be certified as a fully green state in the country. The shift is expected to be completed within a year and will also allow the state's industries to apply for 'Eco Mark', which will add value to their products.

He said the government is also paying strong attention to solar power generation and plans to install 2,000 MW capacities in the next four to five years. He said solar power generation has doubled in the last two years, which shows the government's commitment towards this clean energy source.

The Chief Minister said that apart from this, the government has launched a decentralised renewable energy initiative called the 'Green Panchayat' scheme in the state. Under this scheme, grid-connected ground-mounted solar power plants of 500 kW capacities are being installed at the panchayat level. The income from the sale of this power will be used to finance environment-friendly and sustainable development projects.

He said that the state is also making significant progress in the production of 'green hydrogen.' The first facility is underway in collaboration with Oil India Limited (OIL), and discussions are ongoing with private investors for more such facilities.

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