Direct supply of solar energy to Indian Railways will enable two billion passengers to travel on solar powered trains and help save almost seven millions tonnes of carbon a year, according to a study. The study conducted by NGO Climate Trends and UK-based green tech start-up Riding Sunbeams said “direct supply of solar energy to Indian Railway lines – without the need to connect via the grid – will power at least one in four trains on the national network on competitive terms.”
Report co-author and Riding Sunbeams Founder and Director of innovation Leo Murray said, “Right now India is leading the world on two vital climate frontiers – rail electrification and solar power deployment. Our analysis shows that connecting these two keystone low-carbon technologies together in Indian Railways can drive both India’s economic recovery from the Covid pandemic and its efforts to transition off fossil fuels to tackle the climate crisis.”
In a boost to investment in Maharashtra during the pandemic,the state government’s Industry Department signed 2 MoUs under the Magnetic Maharashtra 2.0 initiative with JSW, worth `35,500 crore in the renewable energy sector.
As per the MoUs, the company plans to invest `35,500 crore in the state by setting up a hydro-based power project of 1,500 MW power generation in villages like Jammde, Kalbhonde and Kothale near Igatpuri in Nashik district, and wind power projects of 5,000 MW power generation across 1,870 hectares in Kolhapur, Solapur, Satara and Osmanabad. The project, which will take 18 months to start, will supply cheap and green renewable power round-the-clock and help Maharashtra decrease its reliance on non-renewable energy.
Industries Minister Subhash Desai said, “This huge investment inflow in the state will amount to a considerable increase in renewable energy sources. While generating employment for more than 10,000 people, these projects will also bring socio-economic development by promoting eco-tourism, skill development and the service sector.”
“Maharashtra has consistently ensured strong performance across multiple investment parameters, even during and post-lockdown, under Magnetic Maharashtra 2.0, the state has managed to sign MoUs worth `1,65,439 crore,” Desai added.
A strategically important road connecting Leh to the Pangong Lake, was inaugurated In Ladakh by MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, who said that the stretch passing through the Kela Pass at 18,600 ft will be world’s highest motorable way. “The road, constructed by the 58 Engineer Regiment of the Indian Army, will reduce 41 km of travel from Leh (Zingral to Tangtse) to the picturesque Pangong Lake crossing the Kela Pass”, the Lok Sabha member said.
“The road, which was inaugurated today, will be the world’s highest motorable road for the general public at a height of 18,600 ft. Up till now, the Khardungla Pass was the world’s highest motorable road for the general public at a height of 18,380 ft,” Namgyal said. “Tourists will be able to see the world’s highest motorable road, rare medicinal plants, participate in snow sport activities, see nomadic livestock, lakes and other attractions,” Namgyal added.
The Ladakh administration and the Border Roads Organisation signed an MoU for upgradation and improvement of road network in Ladakh, officials issued a statement. Calling the MoU a ‘historic’ move, they said the Union territory (UT) administration also assigned seven projects to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) considering their expertise in hilly areas to construct tunnels and roads.
“This initiative will ensure the overall development of Ladakh in the long run. It will further enrich the relationship and coordination between BRO and UT Ladakh,” a statement was released. Commissioner Secretary, PW(R&B), Ajeet Kumar Sahu, said the BRO has agreed to upgrade the roads on fast track mode for which funding would be provided by the UT administration.
Madhya Pradesh had been awarded road projects worth ₹11,311 crore. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for 35 road projects involving 1530 km of roads at a function at Brilliant Convention Centre.
The mega event is being organised jointly by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Madhya Pradesh PWD. Among the major projects are 4 lane road widening of Bhopal-Biaora block (Mubarakpur-Biaora), Gwalior-Jhansi block, Mohgan-Khawasa block, Jhansi-Khajuraho block, Bamidha-Satna block 2 lane and construction of Shujalpur-Ashta block 2 lane road with paved shoulder
