Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu has urged the Ministry of Railways to explore the possibility of converting the iconic Kalka-Shimla UNESCO World Heritage train to run on green hydrogen. In a letter to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Sukhu emphasized transforming the historic rail line into a green energy-powered route, aligning with the state’s goal of becoming a certified Green Energy State by March 31, 2026.

The Chief Minister highlighted that Himachal Pradesh is implementing a six-pronged strategy to lead the transition to renewable energy. The state is working to replace 1,500 million units (MUs) of thermal power consumption with renewable sources like hydro, solar, and wind. Currently, Himachal Pradesh consumes 13,500 MUs of power, a significant portion of which already comes from renewable energy.

Sukhu stated that achieving 90% renewable energy in the power distribution network will help Himachal Pradesh earn certification as India’s first fully green state. This transition is expected to be completed within a year and will enable local industries to apply for the ‘Eco Mark,’ increasing the value of their products.

Solar power generation is a critical focus of the state government, with plans to add 2,000 MW of solar capacity over the next four to five years. “Solar power generation has doubled in the past two years,” Sukhu noted, underscoring the government’s commitment to clean energy. The ‘Green Panchayat’ scheme, which promotes decentralized renewable energy, is also underway. Under this initiative, 500 KW solar power plants are being installed at the panchayat level, with income from the sale of power funding eco-friendly projects.

Himachal Pradesh is also making strides in green hydrogen production. The state’s first facility, in collaboration with Oil India Ltd., is currently being developed, with additional discussions ongoing with private investors to establish more green hydrogen facilities.

The Chief Minister added that the government is focused on transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) as part of its green energy efforts. Over the next two to three years, 1,500 buses from the state transport corporation’s fleet of 3,200 will be replaced with electric buses. The state is also converting its own fleet of diesel and petrol vehicles to electric, while six major national highways are being developed as green corridors for EVs.

To support the shift to EVs, the Rajiv Gandhi Startup Yojana is offering unemployed youth a 50% grant to purchase EV taxis and buses, promoting environmentally-friendly transportation within government services.

This multi-faceted green energy initiative not only positions Himachal Pradesh as a leader in India’s renewable energy transition but also strengthens the state’s economy by aligning with the country’s climate commitments and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).