Indian Railways has launched its first solar-powered local train in New Delhi, in a bid to run trains on alternative fuel.
The train has a battery bank facility which ensures sufficient power even in the absence of sunlight. The 1600 horsepower train has six coaches. The whole electrical need of the coaches, including lights, fans and information display system, will be met by energy produced by solar panels fitted on the roof of coaches. The train will travel from Delhi to India's northern Haryana state. Authorities say twenty four more coaches will be fitted with this system within six months. India has the world's third largest railway network.