Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited has commissioned India’s first metro-based inter-track solar power project at its Hingna Depot in Nagpur, marking a new step in integrating renewable energy into urban transport infrastructure.

The pilot project involves the installation of a 50-kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) system across a 200-metre stretch between live metro tracks, utilizing previously unused inter-track space for clean energy generation. The project is expected to generate nearly 70,000 units of electricity annually and reduce carbon emissions by around 65 tonnes per year.

The electricity generated from the solar panels will be used for the depot’s internal energy consumption, reducing dependence on conventional grid power and improving energy efficiency within metro operations.

Officials said the project was developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, enabling the installation without upfront capital investment by MahaMetro. The solar system uses high-efficiency monocrystalline half-cut PV panels designed to withstand vibrations from train movement while ensuring operational safety and maintenance accessibility.

The initiative is aimed at maximizing renewable energy utilization by converting idle infrastructure space into productive clean energy assets, aligning with broader sustainability and decarbonization goals in the urban transport sector.

MahaMetro indicated that based on the pilot’s performance, the inter-track solar model could be expanded to other metro depots, including Mihan, and potentially integrated into future metro infrastructure developments, creating a scalable model for sustainable transit systems across India.