CM for green hydrogen rail on Kalka-Shimla line

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has called on the railway ministry to explore transforming the historical Kalka-Shimla rail line — a Unesco world heritage site — into a green hydrogen-powered route. Sukhu wrote to railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw about HP’s ambition to be country’s first green energy state by Mar 2026 and to lead the nation in sustainable development initiatives.Outlining a six-pronged strategy to bolster renewable energy use and meet national climate goals, Sukhu highlighted HP’s progress towards replacing its 1,500 million units (MUs) of thermal power consumption with renewable energy sources such as hydro, solar, and wind. Currently, 90% of the state’s 13,500 MUs of power consumption is derived from renewable sources, positioning HP to be certified as a fully green energy state within a year, he noted. This shift could also allow industries in the region to obtain the “eco mark”, boosting the market value of their products.Further plans for sustainability include the expansion of solar power generation, with a target of 2,000 megawatts (MW) over the next five years. Under the ‘Green Panchayat’ initiative, 500-kilowatt (KW) solar power plants are coming up at the panchayat level, with income from energy sales funding eco-friendly development projects.In line with its green energy goals, HP is advancing in green hydrogen production, beginning with a facility in partnership with Oil India Limited, and exploring further investments. Its govt targets replacing 1,500 buses from the state transport fleet with electric vehicles, while it transition its own fleet to electric. Sukhu’s proposal aligns the state’s stance with India’s climate commitments, making the Kalka-Shimla rail a potential emblem of sustainable tourism in the region.

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