The Britishers started the Railways in India for their own use. Laying commercially viable lines and constructing stations enroute. Post-independence as India progressed,more and more railway lines were laid to provide easy and convenient access to each part of the country. The railway stations become the hub of activity as towns and cities came up around them. More and more passenger and freight trains started plying providing transportation and logistics solutions. Through its role in almost all facets of India’s growth, Railways has earned the respect of being the ‘Lifeline of the Nation’.
At present Indian Railways is one of the largest mass transportation systems in the world, ferrying 23 million people and an average 2.2 crore tons of goods each day. Although movement of this magnitude requires enormous amounts of energy the railways is still the most environmentally conduciveof all the petroleum dependent motorized methods.
The passenger-mile emissions values of the trains are the lowest.When compared with road the railways cause less noise and air pollution, infrastructure deterioration, congestionsand accidents.The national transporter is set to become a net zero carbon emitter by 2030. This would mean eliminating emissions of 7.5 million tons of CO2 each year, about the same as two coal power plants (UNEP).
The Indian Railways works through 18 zones. Northern Railway being the largest amongst them. Running over hills to flat plains it servicessizable population inseven northern states of India through 7302Route Km railway tracks.
Like other zonal railways NR has been adopting and evolving to provide a greener, cleaner and sustainable transportation system. Inhouse developed effective energy management methods have been undertakenfor energy conservation and to provide clean and hygienic travelling experience to the passengers.
Railways is a journey of transformation and modernization. From animal drawn carriages on rails to elephantine steam engines followed by sleek diesel engines, energy efficient electric engines and the more recent state-of-the-art aerodynamic trainsets it has adapted well to changing technologies. Getting better in terms of speed, convenience, comfort and environment sustainability.
In present times Railway is edging towards Mission 100% electrification, by adopting cleaner, greener electric energy and minimizing the use of fossil fuel. NR has undertaken electrification of routes and induction of electric locomotives in a big way. At present 78% of rail tracks over the zone have been electrified. Diesel locomotives are being phased out, replacing them with less polluting electric ones. Recently 138 new electric locomotives were inducted into the zonal fleet, raising the overall holding to 759.
Existing assets are being redesigned and put to efficient uses. Prominent in these series is conversion of existing Diesel locomotives to Electric ones using inhouse developed methodologies instead of just junking them.
A 1974 built, out of service Diesel locomotive named ‘Azad’, was modified into dual capability traction at Ludhiana. This can now run on both battery as well as electric traction and is being utilized for shunting of train rakes. Technology for energy regeneration through brakes is being incorporated in electric locos. Electric energy worth `26 crore wasregenerated from such brakes in the last financial year.
The Railways are also committed to proliferation of ‘Head on Generation’ system in ‘End on Generation’ trains. In EOG system, the hotel load or the load of lights, fans and air conditioning, pantry etc. in the coaches of premier trains like Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express are fed from the power cars holding Diesel sets which generatepower supply of 750 V. this is then transmitted to the coaches through feeder cables where it is stepped down for use in the appliances.
In HOG scheme, power is fed from the pantograph of the electric locomotive to the train to cater for the hotel load. This environment friendly system does not generate toxic emissions, no noise pollution and minimizes energy loss.80 train rakes have been converted to this system in NR.
All trains are being progressively retrofitted with Biotoilets and Bio vacuum toilets phasing out the traditional train toilets where the human waste was directly discharged on the tracks. These modern toilets developed in collaboration with DRDO have a composting tank attached to the under carriage loaded with microorganisms which enhance the breakdown of human excreta leaving water and non-toxic gases waste.
The Zone is also exploring the use of other renewable energy source.
Solar panels have been installed at station and office buildings. NR is also experimenting with installing solar panels on coaches. Prototypes of such coaches have been developed in Delhi. The energy tapped from the sun is able to take care of the lighting and fans in the coaches. Alternate fuels like biodiesel blends are also being tried by the zone.
Waste management, recycling of waste water and rain water collection are some of the other major areas NR is focusing on. Waste collection and recycling units have been established at major railway stations and production units. The Railway premises, hospitals and station areas have been provided with energy efficient LED lighting.
Large scale plantations on railway land and embankments along the tracks has also been undertaken. This has increased the green cover of the zone as well as helped in sequestering of CO2 and other harmful gases generated during train operations.