With an aim to go green and increase the use of solar energy, the Indian Railways is set to try its first train powered by solar panels.

BCCL

The special coaches which are being built at the Jodhpur coach plant could be put on a trial run as early as the end of this month, railway authorities said.

"This train will be run as a passenger train, the route to be decided after the trial run. This is the initiative by the Railways to make use of alternative source of energy. The prototype of the solar power-enabled coach where the entire train will be fitted with solar panels is going to be used for the trial," Gopal Sharma, the PRO North Western Railways said.

BCCL

The train would be pulled by conventional diesel-run engines while the solar panels will provide all the internal electricity needs for lights and fans on both AC and non-AC coaches.

If successful, the Railways are hoping to reduce 239 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions by saving approximately 90,800 litres of diesel per rake annually.