Railways Launch Track Solar Panels and New Freight Initiatives

20 Aug 2025 CW Team

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.

Resources

13 May 2026

Anant Raj Appoints Anish Sarin as Director

Anant Raj has appointed Anish Sarin as Director on its Board, marking a key step in the company’s leadership transition and long-term growth strategy. The announcement was made during the company’s Q4 and FY26 results declaration, reflecting the induction of next-generation leadership as the company expands across real estate, cloud infrastructure and data centre businesses. Anish Sarin, grandson of veteran industrialist Ashok Sarin, represents the emerging leadership at Anant Raj. Educated at Regent’s University London, he brings a global business outlook along with a strong focus on t..

Vedanta eyes AI-led value growth

Vedanta Group expects to unlock USD 300–400 million in additional value over the next three years through large-scale deployment of AI-led industrial technologies across its businesses. The group said its V-Spark DeepTech Ventures platform has already delivered nearly four times return on investment since inception.Vedanta is scaling AI, predictive analytics, Industrial Internet of Things, digital twins, machine learning, automation and connected manufacturing technologies across its metals, mining, energy and industrial operations. These deployments are aimed at improving productivity, lowe..

Hindustan Zinc inks pact with Group Nirmal

Hindustan Zinc has signed an MoU with Group Nirmal to set up a zinc wire manufacturing facility at its Zinc Industrial Park in Khankhala, Bhilwara district, Rajasthan. The partnership will expand downstream manufacturing activity and support value-added zinc applications in India.Under the agreement, Group Nirmal will manufacture zinc wire products using Hindustan Zinc’s Special High Grade zinc. The products will cater to infrastructure, renewable energy, automotive and industrial engineering sectors.Zinc wire is used in thermal spray coating and metallising processes to protect steel struct..