Thiruvananthapuram: With the aim of achieving the target of ISO 14001 certification for environmental management, the Central railway station has initiated steps to embrace green energy. Solar panels are being placed atop railway platforms and the work is planned to be completed by the third week of April.The initiative is also in compliance with the National Green Tribunal order directing railways to reduce energy consumption and to ensure proper disposal of garbage.The works on installation of solar panels on roof of platforms have started at the railway station. The energy requirement at the station is 48,000kw per month and the railway station doesn’t have space to install solar panels required to generate that much power. The new project will help generate 7,500kw solar power and thus help reduce the use of electricity considerably.Authorities have also decided to conduct an energy and water audit in the railway station. In addition, gardens will be set up in the front area and also in available space in platforms.“Even before the NGT order, we had initiated works to reduce consumption of energy and water. Energy audit has been awarded to an external agency and it is likely to be completed within two weeks. Due to unavailability of an agency to conduct water audit, we will have to invite tenders for the work and a compliance report has to be submitted to NGT by April,” said Ajay Kaushik, station director of Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station.“Around 90% of the trains from the Thiruvananthapuram division have been installed with bio toilets. Now, bio toilets are to be installed in 28 more trains. Also, we plan to reduce consumption of water supplied by Kerala water authority, which costs around Rs 4-5 lakh per month. A bore well has been dug and water quality test is in progress,” said Kaushik.A comprehensive waste disposal system, comprising plastic shredding machines and biogas plant, is laready functioning at the station.After segregation of waste, the plastic material is shredded in the machine and given to Clean Kerala Company, which they use for construction of roads.The biodegradable waste is converted into manure and supplied to Horticorp and similar agencies.

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