Written by Anish MondalNovember 13, 2025 02:16 PM IST 3 min readNCRTC aims to meet around 70 per cent of its total energy needs from renewable sources. (Image: NCRTC)Solar power generation in India, Delhi Meerut RRTS Update: Ghaziabad’s Duhai has become the second city in India to feature solar panels installed between railway tracks. This initiative has been implemented by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) as part of its strategy to develop a greener and more sustainable transport network.Solar on railway tracksEarlier, Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) in Varanasi had commissioned the country’s first solar panel system installed between railway tracks. It rolled out this pilot project in its workshop line number 19 with an indigenously-designed installation procedure to lay solar panels between the rails without disrupting train traffic.Also Read | Varanasi becomes India’s first city to get portable solar panels between railway tracksSolar on train tracks, Net zero emissionsNCRTC has implemented an innovative ‘Solar on Track’ project at the Namo Bharat Depot in Duhai located in Ghaziabad. This is a first-of-its-kind initiative in any RRTS or Metro system in India.Solar on Namo Bharat train tracksNCRTC has installed this pilot project on the Pit Wheel Track at the Namo Bharat Depot in Duhai, featuring 28 solar panels of 550 Wp each, with a total plant capacity of 15.4 kWp spread over 70 metres of track length. This is expected to generate about 17,500 kWh of energy annually, resulting in an estimated reduction of 16 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year.Also Read | Delhi air pollution: Delhi Metro introduces 60 additional trains as GRAP 3 kicks in“The ‘Solar on Track’ system demonstrates NCRTC’s continuous commitment to adopting innovative and sustainable practices in its operations. The installation not only utilises otherwise unused track space but also contributes to NCRTC’s larger goal of achieving net-zero energy consumption across its facilities,” NCRTC said in a statement.Renewable energy, Namo Bharat trainNCRTC aims to meet around 70 per cent of its total energy needs from renewable sources. Under its solar policy, it is targeting to generate 15 MW peak in-house solar power on rooftops of stations, depots, and other buildings, with 5.5 MW already operational.Also Read | Indian Railways child ticket policy: IRCTC ticket booking rules parents must know before travelling with kidsUnder its solar policy, NCRTC aims to enhance the share of renewable energy across its system by generating solar power. The Namo Bharat trains are also equipped with advanced regenerative braking systems that convert the train’s kinetic energy into electrical energy during braking.Anish Mondal is a business journalist with over nine years of experience. He writes on diverse subjects such as Infrastructure, Railways, Roadways, Aviation, Politics, Market, Parliamentary affairs, Corporate earnings, General and International news etc. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd