Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) is planning to source energy from small modular reactors (SMRs) for four major railway projects, including the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway line, the Bhanupali-Bilaspur railway line, the Yavatmal-Nanded railway line, and the Indore-Budni railway line project. In tune with this, RVNL has held preliminary discussions with Rosatom, Russia’s state-owned atomic energy firm, which has proposed developing 55 megawatt (MW) SMRs for each project. RVNL has directed Rosatom to provide a cost analysis comparing this proposal with Indian Railway’s (IR’s) current electricity supply system for railway traction, along with logistical details, timelines, etc. SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors with a capacity of up to 300 MW per unit and require less area for installation.
Moreover, IR is considering Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs), being developed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). These are pressurised heavy water reactors with a capacity of 220 MW.