Punjab likely to allow open access of power for railways

National transporter is targeting savings of Rs 3,000 cr a year via open access of electricity

The Indian Railways’ plan to buy power directly from a generator of its choice had got clearance from only seven Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled states. Congress-led Punjab, however, might soon become the first non-BJP state to join the bandwagon.

The national transporter is targeting savings of Rs 3,000 crore a year through open access of electricity.

“About 40 per cent of our power requirement is currently met through open access,” said an official close to the development.
“We are currently procuring 750 Mw and this is expected to cross 1,000 Mw by the end of this financial year. Punjab and Odisha, too,