To save energy costs, the Railways on Tuesday said all stations across the country will be made LED-lit by March next year.
"Railways Ministry is actively working to provide 100 per cent LED lighting for its most of the non-traction energy needs like railway staff colonies, railway stations, railway platforms," the Ministry said in a statement.
"Under this 100 per cent LED initiative, Railways Ministry has decided to make all railway stations 100 per cent LED lit by March 31, 2018."
Till November 2017, about 3,500 railway stations have been provided with 100 per cent LED lights and work on the rest will be completed by the March deadline, it said.
So far, about 20 lakh LED lights at stations have been replaced across various Zonal Railways under this programme.
"To take ahead provision of LED lights at all stations, ESCO mode in this area is also being pursued. A policy directive in this reference has been formulated and issued by the Ministry," it said.
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The Railways said that 100 per cent LED lighting would reduce consumption by about 10 per cent of total energy being utilized for its non-traction uses, thus leading to savings of about 240 million units of electricity, which will save about Rs 180 crore annually.
It said that in 2016-17, 5.5 per cent reduction was achieved in non-traction energy consumption, leading to a 4.1 per cent reduction in energy consumption despite a 1.4 per cent increase in load thus enabling savings of Rs 100 crore.
"In the current year (six months from April to September 2017), a 7 per cent reduction in non-traction energy consumption had already been achieved giving savings of Rs 62 crore," it said, adding that was, in fact, a quantum jump against the earlier average of two per cent and transformed Energy Saving Pattern for the Railways.
The Railways also said that it is aiming to provide energy efficient LED lights on all railway coaches and EMUs as well.
A policy for use of only LED lights in all railway coaches has already been issued and zonal railways are preparing action plan.
"Already, 1,300 non-AC second-class and three-tier sleeper coaches have been converted with 100 per cent LED lights," the Ministry added.
--IANS
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