Indian Railways to Explore Nuclear Power for Energy Needs

Indian Railways is considering the use of nuclear power as part of its efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and meet its increasing electricity demands. This was revealed in a written response by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to a query raised by Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sagarika Ghosh in the Rajya Sabha.

Sagarika Ghosh questioned whether Indian Railways is developing infrastructure to utilize nuclear power and if any progress has been made in this direction. In response, Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that Indian Railways is actively exploring nuclear power along with other alternative energy sources. He further mentioned that consultations have been held with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) and the Ministry of Power to assess the feasibility of using nuclear energy for railway operations.

Addressing concerns regarding the environmental impact and potential challenges of nuclear power usage, Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized that nuclear energy is a clean energy source. He stated that shifting from fossil fuels to nuclear power would help reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a more sustainable energy strategy for Indian Railways.