Stations outfitted with solar power plants

Mumbai: Continuing with its development of the Neral-Matheran stretch, the Central Railway (CR) has turned four stations into green ones by installing solar power plants. Jummapatti, Waterpipe, Aman Lodge and Matheran stations have also been fitted with LED lights and fans. Matheran station will also have a windmill.

Sunil Udasi, CPRO, CR, said, “Electricity from renewable sources will bring down the railway station’s power bill, and save ₹2.07 lakh per year besides reducing the carbon footprint.”

The CR had conducted a successful trial run of the steam locomotive on World Heritage Day, which fell on April 18.

S.K. Jain, Divisional Railway Manager, CR, said they plan to model the toy train service on the lines of the one connecting Kalka and Shimla.The JJ School of Architecture has been brought on board as consultants. “The institute said they have formed five teams for the project, who will be visiting the site soon,” said Mr Jain.

The railway will also develop a heritage structure at Matheran to accommodate a food court and retiring rooms. It is also in talks with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation to charter the toy train as part of a Matheran tourism package.