Eastern Railway (ER) has reported significant cost and carbon footprint reductions for the year 2025-26. By increasing the generation and utilization of solar energy, improving power factor efficiency, regenerating energy, and phasing out diesel locomotives, ER has achieved notable savings.
In 2025-26, ER produced 22.15 Million Units (MU) of solar energy, marking a 3.40% rise from the previous year. This resulted in a cost saving of Rs 12.13 crore, a 6.50% increase compared to the previous year, according to Shibram Majhi, CPRO of Eastern Railway.
The implementation of better power factor utilization has also played a crucial role in energy conservation. By optimizing power factor, ER saved Rs 4.40 crore by February 2026. Additionally, a substantial saving of Rs 1.36 crore in the traction energy bill was achieved in March 2026 through improved power factor utilization.
ER’s focus on energy regeneration through the use of 3-phase electric locomotives has further contributed to cost savings. By leveraging 508 three-phase locomotives in March 2026, ER saved Rs 16.86 crore in energy bills. The average monthly savings throughout the year amounted to Rs 14.43 crore across Eastern Railway, as highlighted by Majhi.
As part of its sustainability efforts, ER enforced the shutdown of diesel locomotives in 2025-26, resulting in significant reductions in fossil fuel consumption. This initiative led to the preservation of nearly 3,277.26 kilo litres of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) and a cost saving of Rs 30.56 crore, according to the CPRO.
