The Ministry of Railways has announced a milestone in green energy innovation with the commissioning of India’s first renewable solar panel system installed between railway tracks at Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi.

According to the ministry, Indian Railways has commissioned a 70-metre removable solar panel system comprising 28 panels with a 15 KWp capacity. The initiative marks a historic first in the nation’s sustainability drive.

At the same time, freight operations have been expanded. On 10 August, the first industrial salt-loaded rake was dispatched from Sanosara on the Bhuj–Naliya section to Dahej. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the new logistics solution would boost the salt industry in the region.

The Ahmedabad Division Railway Manager reported that the rake, loaded on 9 August with 3,851.2 tonnes of industrial salt, travelled 673.57 km and is expected to generate Rs 3.17 million in freight revenue. Officials described the achievement as a key step in strengthening both the regional industry and India’s logistics network.

In another development, Western Railway successfully commissioned and energised India’s first 2×25 kV Electric Traction System at the Nagda–Khachrod section under Ratlam Division on 12 August. The system, which includes two Scott-connected 100 MVA power transformers, is designed to provide efficient electrical load supply to the overhead equipment (OHE).

Officials highlighted that the Nagda traction sub-station is the first in India to be energised with Scott Transformer technology, marking a significant advance in railway electrification infrastructure.