The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, on Monday called upon the Ministry of Railways to investigate the feasibility of operating trains on the Kalka-Shimla railway, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, using green hydrogen.
In a declaration made in this location, Sukhu mentioned that he has penned a letter to the Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, requesting that the ministry thinks about turning this significant railway line into a route powered by renewable energy.
Sukhu mentioned that the administration is striving to transform Himachal Pradesh into a state powered by renewable energy by March 31, 2026. He added that various efforts have been launched to reach this objective.
The government is also implementing a six-pronged plan to turn the state into a recognized Green Energy State, making a substantial contribution to India’s climate pledges and in line with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the chief minister mentioned.
This planned change will guarantee an equitable and lawful move towards renewable energy sources, while also enhancing the state’s economic growth, he mentioned.
The government is moving forward to substitute its existing use of 1,500 million units of thermal energy with green alternatives, such as hydroelectric, solar, and wind energy, he mentioned.
Sukhu mentioned that reaching a 90% renewable energy usage in the power grid could make Himachal Pradesh eligible to be recognized as an entirely eco-friendly state. He believes this shift could be finished within a year, which would give businesses in the area the opportunity to seek the ‘Eco Mark’ certification. This would boost the worth of their goods, he added.
He mentioned that the administration is also concentrating on developing solar energy production, aiming to create a capacity of 2,000 MW within the next four to five years.
Green Hydrogen and ELectric Mobility
Himachal Pradesh is also making major progress in the production of green hydrogen, another key component of its green energy plan. The state’s initial green hydrogen plant is in development with a collaboration with Oil India Limited (OIL), and talks are being held with private investors to set up more plants.
In line with its plans to focus on hydrogen, the state government is actively pushing for electric vehicles (EVs) as a key component of its wider plan for sustainable transportation. CM Sukhu revealed that 1,500 out of the 3,200 buses run by the Himachal Pradesh Transport Corporation will be swapped for electric ones over the next two to three years. Additionally, six of the state’s main National Highways have been named as eco-friendly routes for EVs, and the government is moving its collection of diesel and gasoline vehicles to electric models.
Through the Rajiv Gandhi Startup Yojana, the government is providing a 50 percent discount for jobless young people to buy electric taxis and buses, promoting the spread of environmentally friendly vehicles across the state.
