Southern Railway Chennai Division Adds Solar Across Stations
ECONOMY & POLICY

Southern Railway Chennai Division Adds Solar Across Stations

The Chennai Division of Southern Railway added 140 kilowatt (kW) of solar capacity during 2025–26 at St Thomas Mount station, Guindy station and training facilities in Avadi. The new installations raised the division's capacity by 140 kW and brought the total installed solar capacity to 2,494.5 kW. The division stated the additions form part of an ongoing push to expand renewable energy at stations and support facilities.

The new arrays are expected to generate around 0.204 million (mn) units of electricity annually, which the division estimated would reduce its grid draw and yield savings of about Rs 1.921 million (mn) a year. During 2025–26 the Chennai Division generated 2.315 million (mn) units of solar power from its installations, leading to estimated savings of about Rs 14.3 million (mn).

Solar systems have been deployed across stations, office buildings, sheds, platform shelters and training centres, including Chennai Central New Concourse Hall, Moore Market Complex, Tambaram, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Katpadi, Arakkonam, Royapuram, Jolarpettai and Tiruvallur. The division reported that hybrid renewable systems combining windmills and solar units have also been trialled at selected sites to improve reliability and overall output.

Railways has set a target of adding another 2,600 kW of solar capacity across the network during 2026–27, and the Chennai Division said it would contribute its allotment as part of that national push. Officials indicated that continued deployment would focus on high-consumption locations to maximise financial and environmental benefits while reducing operational carbon intensity.

Division officials said the cumulative output and resulting cost savings would help lower operational expenses and support the upkeep of passenger amenities, lighting and signalling systems across busy stations. The measures were described as aligning with the wider rail energy strategy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and to advance the network's sustainability and resilience goals.

The Chennai Division of Southern Railway added 140 kilowatt (kW) of solar capacity during 2025–26 at St Thomas Mount station, Guindy station and training facilities in Avadi. The new installations raised the division's capacity by 140 kW and brought the total installed solar capacity to 2,494.5 kW. The division stated the additions form part of an ongoing push to expand renewable energy at stations and support facilities. The new arrays are expected to generate around 0.204 million (mn) units of electricity annually, which the division estimated would reduce its grid draw and yield savings of about Rs 1.921 million (mn) a year. During 2025–26 the Chennai Division generated 2.315 million (mn) units of solar power from its installations, leading to estimated savings of about Rs 14.3 million (mn). Solar systems have been deployed across stations, office buildings, sheds, platform shelters and training centres, including Chennai Central New Concourse Hall, Moore Market Complex, Tambaram, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Katpadi, Arakkonam, Royapuram, Jolarpettai and Tiruvallur. The division reported that hybrid renewable systems combining windmills and solar units have also been trialled at selected sites to improve reliability and overall output. Railways has set a target of adding another 2,600 kW of solar capacity across the network during 2026–27, and the Chennai Division said it would contribute its allotment as part of that national push. Officials indicated that continued deployment would focus on high-consumption locations to maximise financial and environmental benefits while reducing operational carbon intensity. Division officials said the cumulative output and resulting cost savings would help lower operational expenses and support the upkeep of passenger amenities, lighting and signalling systems across busy stations. The measures were described as aligning with the wider rail energy strategy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and to advance the network's sustainability and resilience goals.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Railways To Operate Over 300 Special Trains For Rath Yatra

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that Indian Railways (IR) will operate more than 300 special trains for the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha and over 100 special trains during the Onam festival in Keralam. He flagged off the Nanded–Mumbai and Tanakpur–Nanded Express trains and inaugurated the extension of the Tanakpur–Pilibhit service up to Shahjahanpur via video conference from Rail Sadan in Bhubaneswar. He noted that the summer season, which concluded on 30 June, had seen a record 15,000 special trains. Vaishnaw stated that the newly launched services are intende..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Vande Bharat Express To Start From Tripura Soon

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said the Vande Bharat Express will commence operations from Tripura in the coming days after he flagged off the Agartala–Karimganj MEMU service at Agartala Railway Station. He recalled the rail history of the state, noting that a metre-gauge service first arrived in 1964 and that broad gauge reached Agartala in 2008 following national projects and later upgrades under the Act East policy. The event was described as a milestone for regional connectivity and the MEMU was presented as the first electric passenger train to originate from Tripura.\n\nSaha said he..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

MEMU Suspension Disrupts Commuters Between Vadodara And Dahod

The Vadodara–Dahod Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) service has been temporarily suspended for 26 days after its rake was diverted to Odisha to manage the surge in passenger traffic during the annual Rath Yatra in Puri. Indian Railways redeployed several MEMU rakes from different zones to meet the additional travel demand for the festival scheduled from the seventh of July to the second of August. As a result, train numbers 69233 and 69234 operating between Vadodara and Dahod will remain cancelled for the duration. Railway authorities advised passengers to use alternative train service..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement