Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu has inaugurated the International Conference on Decarbonisation of Indian Railways - Mission Electrification organised by Institution of Railways Electrical Engineer (IREE) in partnership with ASSOCHAM India. Chairman, Railway Board, Shri A. K. Mital, Member Traction, Railway Board Shri Ashwani Kumar Kapoor, other Railway Board Members and senior officials were also be present on the occasion.On the occasion a mobile app ‘RAIL SAVER’ was launched by the Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu. This app is expected to reduce energy consumption by 15 – 20%.Speaking on the occasion Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu said that Indian Railways is looking forward to make Railways greener by electrifying another 24000 km of Rail Tracks to the existing 28000 km in the next few years. He also said that being the biggest user of energy Indian Railways consumes about 18 billion units of electricity and about 2.4 billion liters of fuel oil which is more than 2% of country’s energy consumption.
Energy demand of Indian Railways is expected to triple by 2030 from current levels to 49 billion units of electricity. Decarbonising the Railways will help achieve the commitment made by India under Paris agreement to reduce its Green House Gas emissions by 33-35% by 2030 from the 2005 levels. He further said that Railways will change significantly with the initiatives to produce greener energy & by electrifying the railways substantially.Consumption of imported oil will come down with electrification, thereby reducing burden on the exchequer. He also said that Increase in the pace of electrification will reduce its fuel bill by Rs. 10000 Crore annually as against the business as usual approach.Addressing the conference Shri AK Mital, Chairman Railway Board said that by adding 24000 km under Mission Electrification about 90% of the tracks under Indian Railways will become electrified. Electricity consumption will be reduced under Mission Electrification through the adoption of energy efficient appliances/equipment. He also said that Indian Railways has set a target of 40% of cumulative electricity generation capacity through renewable energy by 2030.Shri Ashwani Kumar Kapoor, Member Traction, Railway Board said that Indian Railways has embarked upon Mission Decarbonisation and Mission Electrification with an aim to reduce dependence on imported fuel and rationalize the cost of energy for Railways.