Decarbonising Indian Railways
Why in news?
Indian Railways has launched a comprehensive decarbonisation initiative aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 through massive electrification, renewable energy integration, and introduction of hydrogen-powered trains.
Key Initiatives
- Nearly 45,000 km of track electrified in the past decade, striving to increase freight share via Dedicated Freight Corridors.
- Renewable integration with solar, wind, and hybrid capacities.
- Introduction of hydrogen-powered trains for non-electrified routes.
- Climate finance through green bonds and international loans aiding infrastructure and renewable capacity.
- Environmental: Potential to prevent 60 million tonnes of COâ‚‚ annually, akin to removing 13 million cars.
- Economic: Anticipated savings of over ₹1 lakh crore in fuel costs by 2030.
- Strategic: Enhances energy independence by reducing fossil fuel imports.
- Social: Acts as a mass awareness platform on sustainable transport for 24 million daily passengers.
- High green hydrogen production cost limiting scalability.
- Uncertain operational costs of hydrogen trains in India.
- Railway diesel usage is a small fraction (3%) of national diesel consumption, limiting impact on overall emissions.
- Dependence on renewable electricity source is critical to genuine decarbonisation from electrification efforts.
- Invest in R&D and public-private partnerships to reduce hydrogen costs.
- Deploy AI-powered energy optimization, aerodynamic coaches, and regenerative braking.
- Promote behavioural changes via green certification, carbon labelling, and public campaigns.
- Secure long-term power purchase agreements with renewable energy producers.
- Utilize green bonds, climate funds, and viability gap funding for financial support.
