Railways Commissions First Removable Solar Panel, Flags Off Salt Rake

The Ministry of Railways announced two key milestones in green energy and freight growth. Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi, has commissioned India’s first removable solar panel system installed between railway tracks, marking a breakthrough in renewable energy adoption.

Separately, on August 10, Indian Railways flagged off the first industrial salt-loaded rake from Sanosara (Bhuj–Naliya section) to Dahej. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the rake will “open new avenues” for the region’s salt industry while boosting freight growth.

The inaugural rake, loaded from Sanosara Goods Shed with 3,851.2 tonnes of industrial salt, covered 673.57 km and generated ₹31.69 lakh in freight earnings, according to Ahmedabad Division Railway Manager.