Railways Win Big: PM Surya Ghar Excellence Award Honoured by VP
Vice President CP Radhakrishnan honours Ministry of Railways for leading solar adoption under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
In a significant boost to India's green energy goals, the Vice President of India, CP Radhakrishnan, presented the prestigious PM Surya Ghar Excellence Award to the Ministry of Railways. The ceremony took place during the Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026, hosted at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
Leading the Charge in Solar Adoption
The Ministry of Railways was recognized for its outstanding performance in the category of “Maximum Buildings Solarized by Central Ministries/Departments.” This award highlights the Ministry's proactive approach to the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, establishing a gold standard for other public institutions across the nation to follow in the transition toward renewable energy.
The Numbers Behind the Achievement
The scale of the Ministry's solar initiative is vast, focusing on transforming railway infrastructure into energy-generating hubs. Here is a detailed look at the progress made:
- Buildings Identified: A total of 15,868 railway buildings across India were identified as feasible sites for rooftop solar installations.
- Implementation Status: To date, 12,495 buildings have already been equipped with solar systems, representing an impressive 79% completion rate of the identified sites.
- Capacity Milestones: The Ministry has successfully commissioned 351 MW of rooftop solar capacity, moving steadily toward its overall target of 424 MW.
A National Perspective on Solarization
The success of the Ministry of Railways is a cornerstone of a larger national effort. Across 77 different Central Ministries and Departments, the drive to solarize public buildings is gaining momentum. Out of 39,135 identified buildings nationwide, 25,984 have been solarized so far, marking a 66% achievement rate across the board.
The Ministry of Railways has played a pivotal role in pushing this national percentage upward, demonstrating that large-scale government infrastructure can be effectively transitioned to sustainable power.
The Road to 2027
While the current achievements are substantial, the Ministry of Railways is not slowing down. It has reaffirmed its commitment to completing the solarization of all remaining feasible buildings by March 2027. This ambitious timeline underscores the government's dedication to creating a clean, energy-efficient, and sustainable future for the Indian railway network and the environment at large.