Himachal Pradesh Pushes for Green Hydrogen Conversion of Historic Rail Route
Key Ideas
- Himachal Pradesh aims to convert the Kalka-Shimla UNESCO World Heritage train to run on green hydrogen, aligning with its goal to become a green energy state by 2026.
- The state is actively transitioning to renewable energy sources like hydro, solar, and wind power, with plans to achieve 90% renewable energy consumption in its power distribution network.
- Initiatives such as the 'Green Panchayat' scheme and the production of Green Hydrogen are key components of Himachal Pradesh's strategy to promote sustainable development and eco-friendly practices.
- Efforts to promote electric vehicles (EVs) include replacing buses with electric ones, transitioning government vehicles to electric, and developing green corridors for EVs on major highways.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu has urged the Ministry of Railways to consider converting the Kalka-Shimla UNESCO World Heritage train to run on green hydrogen. This initiative is part of the state's broader goal to become a green energy state by March 31, 2026. The state government is working on a comprehensive strategy that includes replacing thermal power consumption with renewable sources like hydro, solar, and wind power. By achieving 90% renewable energy consumption in the power distribution network, Himachal Pradesh aims to be certified as a fully green state. The government is also focusing on solar power generation, with plans to establish a capacity of 2,000 MW in the next few years.
The state is actively promoting sustainable development through initiatives like the 'Green Panchayat' scheme, which involves setting up grid-connected solar power plants at the panchayat level. Income from the sale of this power will fund eco-friendly projects. Himachal Pradesh is also making strides in the production of Green Hydrogen, with the first facility in collaboration with Oil India Ltd already in progress. Additionally, the state is transitioning to electric vehicles by replacing buses with electric ones and converting government vehicles to electric. The government is also supporting the deployment of EVs through schemes like the Rajiv Gandhi Startup Yojana. Overall, these efforts reflect Himachal Pradesh's commitment to sustainable practices and green energy solutions.