Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on Monday that the state government has requested the Union Ministry of Railways, led by Ashwini Vaishnaw, to explore the possibility of converting the Kalka-Shimla UNESCO World Heritage train to operate on green hydrogen.
In a letter to the Union Railways Minister, Sukhu urged the ministry to consider transforming this historic rail line into a route powered by green energy. He stated, “The state government aims to make Himachal Pradesh a green energy state by March 31, 2026 and has undertaken several initiatives to achieve this goal.
Sukhu elaborated that the state government is implementing a six-pronged strategy to transition to a certified Green Energy State, significantly contributing to India’s climate commitments and aligning with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This strategic shift will ensure a fair and just transition toward sustainable energy while also bolstering the state’s economy.
He mentioned that the state is on track to replace its current thermal power consumption of 1,500 million units (MUs) with renewable sources such as hydro, solar, and wind power. Currently, Himachal Pradesh consumes 13,500 MUs of power, with a substantial portion already sourced from renewables. Achieving 90 percent renewable energy consumption in the power distribution network will qualify Himachal Pradesh as a fully certified Green State, a transition expected to be completed within a year. This will also allow local industries to apply for the ‘Eco Mark,’ enhancing the value of their products.
Sukhu highlighted the government’s strong focus on solar power generation, with plans to establish a capacity of 2,000 MW over the next four to five years. He noted that solar power generation has doubled in the last two years, reflecting the government’s commitment to this clean energy source.
Additionally, the Chief Minister announced the launch of the ‘Green Panchayat’ scheme, a decentralized renewable energy initiative. This scheme includes the installation of 500 kW grid-connected ground-mounted solar power plants at the Panchayat level, with the income from power sales funding eco-friendly and sustainable development projects.
Sukhu also mentioned the state’s significant progress in producing ‘Green Hydrogen.’ The first facility, in partnership with Oil India Limited (OIL), is in development, and discussions with private investors for additional facilities are ongoing. To promote electric vehicles (EVs), 1,500 buses from the State Transport Corporation’s fleet of 3,200 will be replaced with electric buses over the next two to three years.
He added that the government is transitioning its own fleet of diesel and petrol vehicles to electric. Moreover, six major National Highways have been designated as green corridors for EVs. Under the Rajiv Gandhi Startup Yojana, unemployed youth are receiving a 50 percent grant to purchase EV taxis and buses, promoting the use of environmentally friendly vehicles in government services.
Sukhu emphasized the state’s commitment to supporting only environmentally friendly industries, stating that stringent Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) are being established to carefully evaluate all proposals for new industries or the expansion of existing ones.
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