Railways has cut CO2 emission by 25.48 lakh tonne in FY21: Ashwini Vaishnaw

• Railways has taken pro-active action to reduce CO2 emission due to diesel locomotives by way of enhanced electrification of Broad Gauge (BG) network, said Vaishnaw
• Out of 64,689 BG Route Kilometer (RKM), Railways has electrified 45,881 RKM (71 percent), said the minister

New Delhi: Indian Railways has witnessed a huge reduction in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emission in FY21 in comparison to the previous year on account of reducing the operation of diesel locomotives, said Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday. In a written response to a question raised in the Rajya Sabha, the minister said, "The estimated reduction in emission on account of reduction in diesel fuel consumption on year to year basis, is expected to be 9.99 lakh tonne of CO2 for the FY 2019-20 and 25.48 lakh tonne of CO2 for the FY 2020-21."

Cutting CO2 emission: 71% railway tracks electrified

The minister told the Rajya Sabha, "As on 01.04.2021, out of 64,689 BG Route Kilometer (RKM), 45,881 RKM (71 percent) had been electrified. Electrification works on balance routes are under different stages of execution and planned for completion on mission mode in phased manner." He added that the Indian Railways has taken pro-active action to reduce emission due to diesel locomotives by way of enhanced electrification of Broad Gauge (BG) network. 

"This has resulted in reduced operation of Diesel Locomotives thereby effecting reduced carbon emission owing to reduction in diesel consumption," said Vaishnaw.

Railways has set up around 7 MW solar plants on vacant land

Elaborating on the railways' plan to cut carbon emission, the minister said that solar plants of cumulative capacity of nearly 7 MW have been set up on vacant railway land. "Indian Railways has set up solar power plants on vacant Railway Land. 1.7 Mega Watt (MW) capacity solar plant in Bina (Madhya Pradesh). 2 MW capacity solar plant in Diwana (Haryana). And 3 MW capacity solar plant at Modern Coach Factory, Raibareilly (Uttar Pradesh)." 

"Indian Railways will take up renewable power procurement through various modes including Solar, Wind and Round the Clock (RTC)," he added. 

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