Modi seeks report on solar energy in transportation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sought a report on deployment of solar energy in transport sector on the lines of solar-powered engines in Railways, as he reviewed the progress of key infrastructure sectors.

Modi also suggested solar-based integrated energy solutions to the agriculture sector. The Prime Minister was briefed on plans and strategies to further ramp up solar energy production, including through rooftop generation, by top officials of various ministries. Niti Aayog also made a presentation on key sectors like railways, aviation and renewable energy.

In the aviation sector, the Prime Minister reviewed progress made in key policy areas such as safety and connectivity. It was noted that eight Indian airports are ranked among the top five globally in their respective categories.

The Prime Minister was also briefed on steps being taken to further boost regional connectivity, and further improve customer satisfaction indices at airports.

Review the progress
Indian Railways has achieved a target of daily passenger movement of 2.25 crore. Around 240 unmanned crossings have been eliminated in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. In the power sector, 3.5 crore LED bulbs have been distributed in the same period.

In the ports sector, there has been considerable progress in average vessel turnaround time. In the rural housing sector, 6.94 lakh rural houses have been completed in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, as compared with a target of 6 lakh houses.

Reviewing the progress in the petroleum and natural gas sector, the Prime Minister sought to know the steps being taken to ramp up ethanol blending of petrol. He was informed that over 15 crore households were covered under Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG in FY16.

Top officials from various infrastructure sector ministries, Niti Aayog, and the PMO attended the meeting.