Only 7 BJP-ruled states give thumbs up to Railways open access of power

Punjab likely to become the first non-BJP state to give no-objection certificates

The Indian Railways' scheme of procuring electricity directly from the generator of its choice has so far got clearance from only seven BJP-ruled states, while the Congress-led Punjab may become the first non-BJP state to join the bandwagon.

The national transporter expects savings of Rs 3,000 crore per annum through open access to electricity. “About 40 per cent of our power requirement is currently met through open access. We are currently procuring 750 Megawatts (Mw) of power and this is expected to cross 1,000 Mw by the end of this financial year. Punjab and Odisha, too, are ready to give no-objection