An Analytical Study on Carbon Balance of Chandi Mandir Railway Station

Abstract

Green House Gases are a necessary evil. They are necessary for the existence of life. There is an old age saying that anything excess is bad and dangerous. This adage is applicable in case of greenhouse gases .Green House Gases become an evil because of their abnormal increase in the atmosphere due to out of bound human activities. Railway station is a transportation hub, carrying passengers and essential commodities and goods from one location to another. Railway station is a point of mass contact. In Railway station, there exist various infrastructure for movement of trains, passage of Goods Trains, Freight terminals, various facilities of passenger amenities, transportation facilities for commutation of passengers and staff, Electronic Gadgets for controlling train movements, passenger boarding, deboarding facilities etc. Congregation of huge no. of people and connected infrastructure results in fluctuation of various parameters of environment and ecology. As such, there is a need to study the environmental condition of a Railway station. However, as of now, there is limited study on carbon balance assessment of individual Railway station. Analyzing various aspects of sources of emission within the defined boundary of station and then quantifying the measures to counter such emissions thus finding the balance and based on that precisely defining the carbon Index of each Railway station across world particularly India will go a long way in the protection of environment. The instant study assesses the carbon balance of Chandi mandir Railway Station , a small non-suburban station under Ambala Division of Northern Railway, within its defined administrative and operational boundary. The evaluation of carbon Balance of this station is done as per the scope categories defined in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) principles. It categorizes Carbon emissions into Scope I, Scope II, and Scope III. Emissions from fuel use, electricity consumption (traction and non-traction), passenger and staff commutation, waste generation, and water use are quantified using suitable carbon conversion factors(CCF). Carbon sequestration from trees and grassland within station premises and carbon offsets from rooftop solar photovoltaic systems are also quantified. Then , carbon balance of the station is evaluated by subtracting total co2 sequestration from total carbon emission. Results obtained is that of total annual GHG emissions are approximately 103.7 tCO?e, while sequestration potential is about 122.5 tCO?e, thus, resulting in a net carbon-negative balance of ?18.8 tCO?e per year. The study brings out a scintillating fact that small railway stations can achieve carbon negativity through massive tree plantation, use of solar energy, EV, Biogas plant, Rainwater harvesting, adopting green building technology, optimum utilisation of natural light, reduction water wastage and ecofriendly waste management. A ten-point Recourse plan is suggested to achieve a sustainable carbon neutral Railway station. Based on carbon balance, railway stations are proposed to be classified into three categories, GREEN STATION, YELLOW STATION and RED STATION. In this study, a general guideline for small railway station is also suggested to formulate polices to achieve carbon neutrality of stations which would greatly influence the net zero target of India for the moderation of nationally determined contribution (NDC) of our country. This study is first of its kind assessment in India having huge potential in long run.

Introduction

The text highlights the growing global climate crisis caused by rising greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations due to urbanization, industrialization, vehicular emissions, lifestyle changes, and a declining plant–human ratio. These factors have led to extreme climate events worldwide, including wildfires, floods, heatwaves, and ecological instability. India, as the world’s most populous country and the third-largest GHG emitter, faces a significant responsibility in mitigating climate change. Increasing green cover and adopting sustainable practices are emphasized as essential climate action strategies.

Railway stations, due to their extensive presence across India, play an important role in sustainability efforts. While large stations are often studied, small and wayside stations—forming the majority of India’s railway network—remain under-researched despite their potential for carbon neutrality through renewable energy use and carbon sequestration. This study addresses that gap by assessing the carbon balance of Chandi Mandir Railway Station, a small station in Haryana.

Using the GHG Protocol, emissions were categorized into Scope I (direct emissions such as LPG use), Scope II (indirect emissions from purchased electricity), and Scope III (other indirect emissions including passenger commuting, waste generation, and water use). Carbon sequestration was assessed through on-site trees, grassland, and renewable energy offsets from a rooftop solar photovoltaic system.

The methodology applied life cycle assessment principles and India-specific emission factors to estimate emissions and carbon sinks. Carbon absorption from approximately 150 trees, around 2 hectares of green cover, and solar energy generation contributed to offsetting emissions. The study provides a structured framework to calculate net carbon balance and demonstrates how small railway stations can contribute positively to sustainability goals. Overall, the research underscores the potential of small railway stations to support Indian Railways’ net-zero carbon target through green cover expansion, renewable energy adoption, and improved environmental management.

Conclusion

Chandi Mandir Railway Station is an Eco-friendly Railway Station as per the scope category guideline illustrated in GHG PROTOCOL. Chandi mandir Railway Station was found to be carbon negative. This study presents a practical methodology for assessing the carbon balance of small railway stations. The research flags the importance of small railway stations in shaping the national climate action plan and sustainability targets.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Prakash Kumar Acharya, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Sharma. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.