Lok Sabha Question No. 659 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Flexible Solar Panels
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: VIJAY KUMAR S.R., BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, T. RADHAKRISHNAN, SUDHEER GUPTA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.659

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2017

## FLEXIBLE SOLAR PANELS

659.   SHRI S.R.VIJAYAKUMAR:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways has fixed any target to reduce emission by 2030;
- (b)     if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  programmes  initiated  by  the Government to achieve the said target;
- (c) whether the Railways will install flexible solar panels and batteries to power fans and lights on 250 local trains;
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  time  by  which  it  is  likely  to  be completed, train-wise;
- (e) the total expenditure likely to be incurred thereon; and
- (f) the further steps taken/being taken by the Government to implement sustained energy efficiency measures, maximise use of clean fuel and promote low carbon emissions?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) to (f) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.  659  BY  SHRI  S.R.VIJAYAKUMAR,  SHRI  BIDYUT  BARAN MAHATO, SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR, SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, KUNWAR  HARIBANSH  SINGH, SHRI T.  RADHAKRISHNAN  AND SHRI SUDHEER  GUPTA  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  19.07.2017 REGARDING FLEXIBLE SOLAR  PANELS

- (a) Yes, Madam.

(b) Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  &  Climate  Change  (MOEF&CC)  is  the nodal  &  notification  agency  for  fixing  Emission  Standards  for  Diesel Locomotives and as per MOEF&CC report:

'In order to reduce emission from Diesel locomotives in the country, the interim emission standards for Diesel locomotives are proposed to be drafted in consultation with Ministry of Railways, Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES), Engine Development Directorate Research  Design  and  Standards  Organisation  (RDSO)  and  CPCB.  The process of development of standards is likely to be completed by March 2019, subject to adequate data being made available'.

In this regard, Railways have already submitted its interim report to Central Pollution Control Board (MOEF&CC). Morever Indian Railways has committed to reduce its emission intensity to the extent of 32% by 2030 by taking series of energy efficiency initiatives.

In addition, Indian Railways has also entrusted M/s RITES for 'Consultancy contract for Study on Emissions from Diesel Locomotives and setting up of Emission Standards'.

(c)&(d)  Yes,  Madam.  A  work  was  sanctioned  for  fitment  of  flexible  Solar panel  based  hotel  load  system  for  powering  light  and  fans  on  250  trailer coaches  of  Diesel  Electric  Multiple  unit  (DEMU)  trains.  A  tender  for  this work is under process. Initially these modern design panels will be fitted on six  coaches  and  subsequently,  upon  successful  completion  of  field  trial remaining 244 coaches will also be fitted with this system.

The  likely  date  for  completion  of  the  project  will  only  be  known  upon finalization of contract.

- (e)  Total likely expenditure on the Solar Panel project will be known after finalization of the tender. However the total estimated cost of the work is ₹ 29.16 Cr.
- (f) Railways are taking the following further steps to promote use of clean fuels and reduce carbon emissions:
- I. Use  of  B5  (5%  Bio-Diesel)  blends  of  bio  diesel  in  the  diesel locomotives.
- II. Development of Common  Rail electronic Direct Injection (CReDI) system.
- III.    Use  of  Compressed Natural Gas  (CNG) based dual fuel system on DEMU trains to achieve 20% substitution of Diesel with gas.
- IV. Development  of  Miller  cycle  based      turbochargers  for  Diesel Locomotives.
- V.    Development of Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG) Turbochargers for Diesel Locomotives.
- VI. Development  of  High  Effectiveness  large      after  cooler  for Diesel Locomotives.
- VII. Development of CNG based dual fuel system with 40% substitution  of  diesel  for  high  economy  and  environmental benefit.
- VIII. Process to establish two bio diesel manufacturing plants with 30 Ton Per Day (TPD) capacity owned by Railways.
- IX. Started Exploring for use of Methanol on Railways locomotives.
- X. Promote use of LNG/CNG as environment friendly industrial gas in  place  of  Liquid  Petroleum  Gas  (LPG)  and  Acetylene  in Railway workshops.
- XI. Promote  and  install  roof  top  based  solar  power  generation system in railways workshops and production units.

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