For the first time ever in the country, Indian railways has added solar panels to the roof of a train and this train has already begun its journey around New Delhi. With trains consuming so much fuel, this is a huge step in reducing our carbon footprint.

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One particular train has been decked up with 16 shiny photovoltaic panels. But instead of replacing the diesel engine completely, everything else, from the lights and fans inside the train to the information displays, that are usually powered by diesel, will now run on solar energy, massively cutting the amount of fuel consumed.

"We will be inducting at least four other solar-powered trains in the next six months," Anil Kumar Saxena, Railways spokesperson, told AFP on Wednesday.

The batteries get charged by the solar panels during the day and take over when there is no sunlight. Diesel would only be used as a last resort, when the batteries have finished up.

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Keeping the bigger picture in mind, these are just smaller, but equally important, steps contributing to India's fight against climate change. As of now, the use of this alternate source if energy is expected to save around 21,000 litres of diesel every year.

What a great step!