NCR installs solar panels at 341 level crossings

ALLAHABAD : The North Central Railway (NCR) zone has taken a major step to ensure uninterrupted power supply at railway crossings and also save electricity by promoting solar energy.

The zonal railway has installed solar panels at 341 level crossings under three divisions of the zone . Out of the total figure, 37 solar power panels have been installed at Allahabad division, 72 at Agra and the maximum 232 at Jhansi divisions respectively.

Besides, the zonal railway has also started the work of installing solar panels at 109 level crossings of the zone in its second phase of the work following the instructions of NCR general manager MC Chauhan.

As per the decision, seven railway crossings have been selected in Allahabad division to equip with the facility whereas 89 solar panels will be installed at the level crossings comes under the jurisdiction of Jhansi division and 13 on those controlled by Agra division.

“The main purpose behind initiating such measures is to keep the railway crossings light up during night hours for the convenience of commuters. The objective is also to reduce consumption of power and promote use of solar energy as much as possible,” said chief public relations officer, NCR, Bijay Kumar.

“It is by this effort that the zonal railway is saving nearly 50,000 units electricity thus saving Rs 3.96 lakh in a year,” said Kumar. He said the zonal railway administration had also set up a solar pump at Sakteshgarh station of Allahabad division for power conservation.

According to him, solar panels were also been installing in the railway buildings of Kanpur and Allahabad and the work in this connection would be completed in July 2017. Work of setting up solar panel at the Rail Spring Workshop at Sithauli was also underway and would be completed soon, he added.