Railways likely to have separate environment directorate

Railway Ministry is likely to have a separate directorate to promote environment-friendly activities as new minister Suresh Prabhu wants to give a boost to the use of green fuel such as solar and wind energy.

Environment Management Directorate, the proposed new wing of the national transporter, is also likely to promote plantation of fruit-bearing trees on railway land and prepare a strategy for water conservation in a big way.

Currently, Railways has about two dozens directorates and the number will only go up with this new addition.

"We are examining the possibility of creating a dedicated directorate for proliferation of non-conventional and renewable energy as new Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu wants to give a boost to the use of green fuel in Railways," a senior Railway Ministry official said.

Prabhu has undertaken many new initiatives to mark a change in the ailing national transporter including a plan to reward railway employees for completing projects on time and bringing transparency and accountability on the part of officials in rail functioning.

The Narendra Modi-led NDA government, which had development of renewable energy as a major poll plank, has further seemed to have influenced the Railways to go "green".

According to the official, a blueprint is being prepared to generate at least 20 per cent of its total energy through non-conventional and renewable energy like solar and wind besides the use of bio-diesel. The annual fuel bill of Indian Railways for electricity and diesel is about Rs 28,500 crore.

Till now there was no single dedicated wing for taking up environment-friendly activities as various directorates are involved in solar, wind and bio-diesel projects.

The proposed directorate is expected to take up not only solar and wind energy projects but also tree plantation drive and water conservation management. There are vast land tracks of Railways all over the country which can be taken up for tree plantations.

"Tree plantation will serve twin purposes. While it will increase the green cover in the area, it will also be effective for preventing encroachment of railway land," the official said.