In Project to Tap Natural Light, Sun Tubes Installed at Mumbai Central!

By Rayomand Engineer

May 24, 2018

Mumbai Central will receive natural, soothing light, courtesy these sun tubes, feels the Railways.

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The Indian Railways has introduced several initiatives over the last few years, in an effort to go green and reduce its carbon footprint. For example, this initiative implemented in the Pune railway station saved them crores, while the conversion of the busy Guwahati railway station into a solar-only terminal set the benchmark for other green stations in the country.

Given that the national transporter is the lifeline for millions, these efforts can be quite a task, but it has persevered.

Well, according to a senior official quoted in Mid Day, the Western Railway (WR) has installed natural sunlight tubes at the Mumbai Central Station.

Reduced greenhouse emissions and electricity bills while enhancing the visual comfort of passengers—the Railways has once again, pulled both off!

A solar tube (left), will distribute sunlight evenly, during daylight hours, an efficient way to light up the Mumbai Central station-feels the Railways. Representative image . Image Credit:- All Sunshine Skylights & India Rail Info

Speaking to Mid Day, Ravinder Bhakar, a spokesperson of the Western Railway, claimed that this a first-of-its-kind ever experiment by any railway zone in the country. Also, in addition to providing cool, natural and effective lighting over the day, the solar-dependent natural sunlight tubes and sun pipes help bring down the Railway’s greenhouse emissions. Bhakar is optimistic about the project’s outcome.

The 18 units of natural sunlight tubes cost ₹21,000 each, and a total amount of around ₹4.5 lakh has been spent so far, with plans to install similar tubes in other stations as well.

So, how do these tubes work?

These light tubes transmit and distribute natural light for the purpose of illumination. Commonly known as ‘sun pipes,’ they work on the principal of nonimaging optics, helping distribute the light for effective day-lighting. What’s more, they do not emit the harsh, bright white glow created by electrical lights.

While going green isn’t cheap, this is the right step to take to ensure environmental sustainability and huge savings over a period of time.

(Edited by Gayatri Mishra)