Bahadurgarh railway station to run on solar energy

Water harvesting system also to be developed

Aimed at tapping more non-conventional energy, the Delhi division of Northern Railway is developing Bahadurgarh railway station, on the outskirts of Delhi, as a 'green' station.

While the energy requirement of the station would be met with solar energy, a water harvesting system is also being developed at the station premises for optimum utilisation of the resource.

Railway officials said solar panels would be installed on the station building and other suitable places.

“Solar power panel with a capacity of 20 KW is going to be installed at the station within the next two months. The power that is generated would be enough to for the power requirement of platforms, circulating area, booking office and the service buildings,” a senior Northern Railway official said.

A stand-alone solar light will also be provided at platforms to reduce electricity requirement from the main grid, the official added.

Officials said apart from harnessing alternate sources of energy, emphasis would also be on conservation of energy.

“The existing energy consuming lights will be replaced by energy efficient LED lights in the station building, circulating area and at the platforms.  All such efforts will help in drastically reducing  the power consumption. It will also result in substantial saving of revenue for railway,” the railway official said.

The expense in making the station green will be funded by the Indian Railway Finance Corporation Ltd.

While Bahadurgarh is one of the important and fast growing localities of neighbouring Haryana, its close proximity to the Capital has only spiked the rate of development in the city.

The city is located 19 km from the capital and it will be connected with Delhi Metro in its later phases. Officials said footfall at the station is likely to increase — from the current footfall of around 32,000 people per day — if the pace of development of the area.

“The station is being initiated as a pilot project. More stations in the division are likely to be developed on similar lines,” the official said.