Solar power system to be installed at railway stations

To find alternative sources of energy, everybody is on the lookout for better options. As such, solar power equipments are picking up fast as apart from several government departments, private institutions are also coming forward for the same.

Joining the list of new entrants are the railway authorities, who have also started installing solar equipments in railway running rooms, hospitals and even at crossings, where solar lamps were being used. This has helped them to get rid of kerosene lamps which were being earlier used.

According to information, the authorities have installed solar geysers in railway running rooms at Amritsar and Jalandhar, whereas the running room at the city station is presently under construction where solar geysers would be installed.

Sources in the railway department revealed that authorities are also planning to install solar lights by replacing the existing streetlights at the station and in railway colonies.

Earlier, it was the duty of the gatekeeper at the railway crossings to light the kerosene lamps, but now the authorities have installed solar lamps which will get charged during the day and provide light during the night hours.

While talking to the TOI, divisional railway manager Satish Chander said, "We had started installing solar geysers on an experimental basis but now we are getting a positive response and have decided to expand it at other places."

He said they would now install solar lights at railway crossings and city railway station, while the running room for guards and drivers was under construction where they would also install solar geysers like it had been done at Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ferozepur.

Discussing the issue, Rajinder Singh joint director Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) said, "The demand for solar equipments has increased manifold. We have forwarded a demand to the Centre for 500-kilowatt power plants which are being demanded by various private institutions across the state."

Source: Times of India