Metro Railway has been playing a leading role to reduce carbon footprints by generating power from renewable sources to increase the system efficiency. This initiative has got momentum in recent times after Government has adopted a policy of PM Surya Ghar Scheme and fixed the target for Indian Railways to become Net Zero Carbon Emitter by 2030.
At present Metro Railway has solar plants of the capacity of 4197 KWp (4.2MWp) at various service buildings and carsheds. Out of which, in the Blue Line 763 Kwp solar power plants have been installed at Noapara, Dum Dum, Belgachia tunnel Ramp, Mahanayak Uttam Kumar and Kavi Subhash stations as well as at Tapan Sinha Memorial Hospital. In the East-West Corridor 1519 Kwp solar power plants have been installed at Salt Lake Sector V, Central Park stations as well as at Central Park Depot. In Purple Line 1400KWp capacity plant is functional at Joka Carshed. In Orange Line 500KWp solar power plant is working at New Carshed at Kavi Shubhash.
Recently on 15.08.2024, Metro Railway has commissioned a solar plant of capacity 106 KWp at the ramp of tunnel facia between Belgachia and Dum-Dum (over 1200 sq. meter area). Since then, this plant has generated approx. average 400 units/day.These projects have been executed through Public-Private Partnership Mode. Metro Railway has provided the rooftop areas whereas the solar power developer has done complete engineering, procurement, installation, testing and commissioning work. Solar power developer will operate and maintain these plants for 25 years. This solar power generation system of Metro Railway is being monitored through cloud-based monitoring system.
Further, installation of 360KWp solar plants are going on the roofs of various quarters at Belgachia, Tollygunge and service buildings. These plants are expected to be operational by end of September 2024.
After installation of these 360KWp plants, Belgachia quarters will run almost 100% on solar energy and approx. 70% demand of Tollygunge quarters will also be mitigated with solar energy.
Tender for installation of 1500Kwp solar plant on vacant land near Jessore Road and Gitanjali has already been floated and is scheduled for opening very soon. Tender for work of 400KWp rooftop solar will be called soon. Metro Authorities are further exploring the feasibility for more solar power generation following all safety precautions.
Kausik Mitra, Chief Public Relations Officer,Metro Railway stated this in a release.
