"Indian Railway has taken up a clean diesel project to reduce emissions from diesel locomotives and to bring them in consonance with international emission standards. An initial feasibility study has been completed and the phase-II of the project for developing a prototype system for a locomotive is under process," Minister of State for Railways Bharatsinh Solanki told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.
The Railways consumes about 2.5 billion litre diesel annually.
"A work for Rs 4.39 crore has been sanctioned for consultancy for reduction of exhaust emissions from diesel locos of Indian Railways," the minister said.
Replying to a question on technical modernisation of the railways, he said, "Requirements of modernising railway infrastructure including track, signaling, rolling stock and terminals have been identified and have been proposed as a major objective of the 12th Five Year Plan."