(a) whether the Railways has conducted the trial run of solar powered trains in the country;
(b) if so, the outcome of the trials;
(c) the number of railway routes on which solar powered trains are likely to be run in the first phase; and
(d) whether the Integral Coach Factory has taken steps in this regard and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)
(a) & (b) No, Madam. However, Indian Railways (IR) have already provided Solar panels on roof top of 18 Narrow Gauge coaches plying on Kalka-Shimla and Pathankot-Jogindernagar sections and one Broad Gauge non air conditioned coach plying on Delhi-Rewari section of Northern Railway and one Broad Gauge non air conditioned coach on Rewa-Jabalpur section of West Central Railway on trial basis. Further, IR have decided to provide solar panels on roof top of General Coaches of two day running intercity trains and 50% narrow gauge coaches plying on Pathankot-Joginder Nagar route in Kangra Valley section and Kalka-Shimla section for extended trials for one year in all weather conditions.
(c) Does not arise.
(d) Integral Coach Factory (ICF), in association with Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru has also provided two Photo Voltaic solar modules in one coach for train lighting purpose for data collection in different weather conditions.
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