The Mysuru division of South Western Railway is set to go green as it will harness solar power to reduce dependence on conventional energy.
This is in pursuance of the Indian Railways policy to reduce conventional energy by 10 per cent across India and opt for renewable energy resources where possible.
Hence, the six railway stations in Mysuru division — apart from the office of the Divisional Railway Manager in the city — is poised to make the transition from using conventional energy to solar power. The office of the DRM in Mysuru will be of 50 kV capacity and is set to become functional in due course.
Divisional Railway Manager Atul Gupta told presspersons here on Wednesday that a 10 per cent reduction in usage of conventional power will entail saving nearly Rs. 60 lakh per annum.
The six stations, which are poised to harness solar power, are Chitradurga, Chikjajur, Birur, Kabakaputtur, Chikkamagaluru, and Arsikere. “But in view of the terrain and lack of adequate solar intensity in Chikkamagaluru, we are planning hybrid system and will harness both solar and wind energy,” said Mr. Gupta.
The division has also embarked upon rainwater harvesting on all its new premises, but the thrust is on augmenting groundwater recharge and not storage, he said.
Financial allocation
Mr. Gupta said there was no dearth of funds for timely completion of projects. Mysuru division has two major projects under way — doubling of Arsikere-Tumakuru section and Hubballi-Chikjajur section and the target fixed for the current year was completion of 208 km in South Western Railway zone.
Freight operations
To increase its freight earnings and meet the target of lifting 6 million tonnes for the current financial year, the Mysuru division has reached out to entrepreneurs and business houses in the region with special focus on small customers. “We have held meetings and other outreach programmes and the response is encouraging,” said Mr. Gupta. This was part of the Sanyojan Diwas organised by the Railways across the country.
The gross earnings of Mysuru division was showing a steady progress since the last three years and had increased from Rs. 475.59 crore in 2013-14 to Rs. 523.1 crore in 2014-15 and Rs. 608.82 crore during 2015-16, he said. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Anil Kumar was present.
