Run Kalka-Shimla UNESCO World Heritage train on green hydrogen: CM
Himachal has urged the Union Ministry of Railways to explore the possibility of running the Kalka-Shimla UNESCO World Heritage train on green hydrogen.
In a letter written to the Union Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu urged the ministry to consider transforming this historic rail line into a green energy-powered route. He said, “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 said the state government was working on a six-pronged strategy to transform Himachal into a certified Green Energy State, contributing significantly to India’s climate commitments and aligning with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This strategic transition would ensure a fair and just shift towards sustainable energy, while also boosting the state’s economy, he added.
The CM stated that Himachal was on the path to replacing its current thermal power consumption of 1,500 Million Units (MUs) with renewable sources, including hydro, solar and wind power. “Currently, the state consumes 13,500 MUs of power, with a large portion already derived from renewable sources. Achieving 90 per cent renewable energy consumption in the power distribution network will enable Himachal Pradesh to be certified as a fully green state,” said Sukhu. This transition is expected to be completed within a year and will also allow industries in the state to apply for the ‘Eco Mark’, enhancing the value of their products, he stated.
He said the Himachal Government was focussing on solar power generation, with plans to establish a capacity of 2,000 MW over the next four to five years. Solar power generation had doubled in the last two years, reflecting the government’s commitment to this clean energy source, he added.
He said the government had also launched the ‘Green Panchayat’ scheme, a decentralised renewable energy initiative in the state. Under this scheme, 500 KW grid-connected ground-mounted solar power plants were being set up at the panchayat level. Income from the sale of this power would be used to fund eco-friendly and sustainable development projects.
He further said the state was also making significant progress in the production of ‘Green Hydrogen’. The first facility, in collaboration with Oil India Limited (OIL), was underway and discussions with private investors for establishing more such facilities were ongoing.
Sukhu said as part of the state’s efforts to promote electric vehicles (EVs), 1,500 buses from the state’s transport corporation fleet of 3,200 buses would be replaced with electric buses over the next three years. Additionally, six major national highways had been developed as green corridors for Evs, he said.
