All lights at Rani Kamalapati Railway Station in Bhopal come on when a train reaches its platform. But as soon as the train leaves, 70 percent of the lights go out automatically.

This "30-70 percent circuit automation" system is one of the energy-saving initiatives of the Bhopal Division of West Central Railway (WCR) to save power and cut costs. In addition, a solar power plant at WCR's Bina station in the state is the first of its kind among the railroads to supply electricity directly to the overhead equipment (OHE), he claimed.

The Bina station solar power plant was awarded the Best Use of Zero Carbon Technology in Planet category at the International Sustainable Railway Awards in Berlin, Germany, in June this year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November last year dedicated the renovated Rani Kamalapati Railway Station (RKMP), formerly known as Habibganj, in the capital Madhya Pradesh to the nation.

Named after the queen of the Gond kingdom of Bhopal, this station has the first main hall with connections to all platforms and other modern facilities.

In addition to RKMP, 12 other stations of the division are also equipped with the 30-70 percent circuit automation system, with only 30 percent of the lights remaining on if no train stops at a platform. Once a train crosses the house signal, the remaining 70 percent will of the lights going on," said Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Sourabh Bandopadhyaya.

When the train crosses the 'start signal', 70 percent of the lights on that specific platform will turn off automatically, resulting in savings of Rs 13 lakh per year on energy bills, he said.