CM Sukhu urges green hydrogen for Kalka-Shimla train

The Himachal government has urged the Union Ministry of Railways to explore the possibility of running the Kalka-Shimla UNESCO World Heritage train on green hydrogen. In a letter written to the Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has urged the minister to consider transforming this historic rail line into a green energy-powered route. He added, “The state government aims to make Himachal Pradesh a green energy state by March 31, 2026 and has undertaken several initiatives to achieve this goal,” he stated. The CM stated that the state government is working on a six-pronged strategy to transform Himachal into a certified Green Energy State. The state is on track to replace its current thermal power consumption of 1500 Million Units (MUs) with renewable sources. He said that the Himachal government is focussing on solar power generation, with plans to establish a capacity of 2,000 MW over the next four to five years. Solar power generation has doubled in the last two years, reflecting the government's commitment to this clean energy source. Sukhu said the state government is working on a six-pronged strategy to transform Himachal into a certified Green Energy State, contributing significantly to India’s climate commitments and aligning with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This strategic transition will ensure a fair and just shift towards sustainable energy while also boosting the state’s economy, he stated.