The 11.4km Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Mumbai Metro will soon get rooftop solar panels, power from which will cover 30% of the Metro line's non-traction energy needs. The line completed two years of operations on Tuesday. The then chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had inaugurated the Mumbai Metro on June 8, 2014.

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"Electricity generated from solar panels will be utilised for non-traction activities, such as lighting, air-conditioning and maintenance," said Abhay Kumar Mishra, Chief Executive Officer, Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL).

The overall auxiliary energy requirement for Mumbai Metro's non-traction use is 6.9MW or close to 1 million units per month. The traction requirement is nearly 1.5 lakh units.

The entire solar power generating system will have an installed capacity of 2.3MW, of which about 2MW will be produced from the rooftop installations at stations and remaining from the solar panels set up at the depot. The solar panels at all 12 metro stations and depot are expected to be installed within this financial year.

In addition, there are plans to switch to Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) at all Metro rail installations to reduce overall consumption. These include Metro stations, depot and administrative buildings.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, the route completed two years of its revenue operations, providing commuting relief and East-West connectivity. The line has reduced travelling time in the city considerably.