MMRDA mulls using solar power at monorail stns

Solar energy may soon power the Monorail stations, offices and the depot at Wadala.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has invited bids to study how feasible it will be to install solar panels at the 17 monorail stations and the Wadala depot.

The solar power will be harnessed for non-traction use — it will not be used to run the trains, but to power offices and the stations.

The process to use the sun’s power is already underway at 12 stations of the 11.2km Versovaandheri-ghatkopar Metro line and on the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation-run 5.6km Bandra Worli Sea Link.

“We have invited bids to study the feasibility of installing solar panels on stations and the depot. We want to explore how much we can save by switching to solar power. Rough estimates say it can reduce our power bills by 65% to 70%,” said a senior MMRDA official.

The official added that the considerable reduction in power bills by switching to solar operations’ financial status. The service currently has few takers as the route does not connect areas where there is demand.

Meanwhile, the second phase of the monorail, between Wadala and Jacob Circle, is likely to be commissioned by mid-2017.

“With the commissioning of Phase-ii of the monorail corridor, we expect the ridership to increase manifold, which would mean that we will not incur the kind of losses we are seeing currently, as Phase-i does not cater todenselypopulatedareas ”the