Railway Board order announces closure of green fuel wing

The Ministry of Railways has announced the closure of the Indian Railways Organisation for Alternative Fuels (IROAF), an enterprise headquartered in New Delhi
IROAF was exclusively formed to promote green energy by introducing alternative energy, fuel efficient and emission-control technologies across the railway network.
The IROAF had invited bids just last month in August for Hydrogen Fuel Cell-based trains to kickstart the concept of hydrogen mobility in the country along the 89-km Sonipat-Jind sector of Northern Railway
Four years ago, the country’s first solar-powered train was launched where the entire electrical needs of the train like lights, fans and other systems were met by power generated by solar panels fitted atop coaches of a DEMU.
The IROAF was also working on research and development of projects relating to use of compressed natural gas (CNG) as a substitute to high-speed diesel to create a clean environment and reduce cost of transportation.
The existing work handled by IROAF — Solar Power and Hydrogen Fuel Cell projects — was transferred to Northern Railway.