At the Global Investors Summit 2025 in Bhopal, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, presented Indian Railways’ vision for electrification and the adoption of renewable energy sources. The event was also attended by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Mohan Yadav and Shri Rakesh Shukla, Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Government of Madhya Pradesh.

Addressing the gathering via video conferencing from Rail Bhawan, Shri Vaishnaw emphasized the Indian government’s target to achieve ‘Net Zero’ carbon emissions for Indian Railways, with 100% electrification expected by the 2025-26 financial year. The next step involves maximizing renewable energy procurement. Indian Railways has already secured 1,500 MW of renewable energy and signed a major 170 MW Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Madhya Pradesh government. This agreement brings the procurement of India’s cheapest solar power at Rs 2.15/kWh, sourced from the Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Power Limited (RUMSL), India’s largest solar park. The Minister expressed interest in expanding renewable energy procurement, particularly in wind and nuclear energy.

Shri Vaishnaw commended Chief Minister Shri Mohan Yadav for his active role in advancing railway development in Madhya Pradesh and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a sustainable, green future for the transportation sector.

The PPA was signed by key stakeholders, including West Central Railway (WCR), represented by Dy. CEE/HQ Shri Chetan Gulwani; RUMSL, represented by Executive Engineer Shri Avneesh Shukla; and Waree Forever Energies Pvt Ltd, the solar power developer.

The Union Minister also discussed Indian Railways’ goal to achieve net-zero emissions and shift from road to rail transport to improve environmental sustainability, reduce oil imports, and cut logistics costs. He encouraged all Indian states to contribute renewable energy to Indian Railways, praising the collaborative efforts between the Railway Ministry and Madhya Pradesh.

Historic Budget Allocation for Madhya Pradesh Rail Infrastructure

Highlighting the record-breaking budget of ₹14,745 crore allocated to Madhya Pradesh’s railway sector for FY 2025-26, the Minister stated that this is the highest-ever budgetary allocation for the state. Infrastructure development has accelerated significantly, with railway track laying increasing from 29 km per year before 2014 to 230 km per year today—a 7.5x increase.

Overview of RUMSL

Tied up solar Installed capacity with Indian Railways:

About the Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Power Limited (RUMSL)

RUMSL, designated as a Solar Power Park Developer (SPPD) by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), was entrusted with developing large-scale solar parks in Madhya Pradesh under the Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Projects (UMREPP) scheme of the Government of India. To ensure efficiency and expertise in executing and operating such large-scale projects, RUMSL adopted the DBFOO (Design, Build, Finance, Own, and Operate) model. The initiative significantly contributed to India’s renewable energy sector, increasing the country’s solar power generation capacity by 2.50%. Notably, it achieved the lowest-ever tariff awarded for a solar public-private partnership (PPP) in India, at INR 2.97 per kWh, without any viability gap funding from the government. Recognized for its innovation and impact, the project was included in the Prime Minister’s “Book of Innovation” and was honored with the prestigious “President Award” from the World Bank.

Source/PIB