Indian railways to tap nuclear power for clean energy needs

NEW DELHI

 To meet its growing power demands with clean and reliable energy, Indian Railways (IR) is in discussions with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and the Ministry of Power (MoP) for nuclear power allocation. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently informed the Rajya Sabha that IR is exploring power sourcing from existing and upcoming nuclear plants.

This shift will reduce dependency on fossil fuels, lowering carbon emissions while ensuring uninterrupted traction power. Addressing fare concessions, the Minister highlighted that IR provided a subsidy of ₹56,993 crore on passenger tickets in 2022-23, covering an average of 46% of ticket costs. Essentially, if the cost of service is ₹100, passengers pay only ₹54. This subsidy continues for all passengers, with additional concessions granted to Divyangjans, 11 categories of patients, and eight categories of students. Between 2020-21 and December 2024, around 2,357.8 crore passengers traveled by Indian Railways.

For the convenience of senior citizens and women, the railways earmarks lower berths: six to seven in sleeper class, four to five in AC 3-tier, and three to four in AC 2-tier per coach. These reservations benefit senior citizens, women aged 45 and above, and pregnant women, ensuring safer and more comfortable journeys. With its push for nuclear energy and continued passenger benefits, Indian Railways is advancing toward a sustainable and inclusive future.