Take a Ride on India's First Solar-Powered Miniature Train

India&rsquos first solar-powered miniature train was launched amid a wave of tourists in Kerala&rsquos Veli Tourist Village in Thiruvananthapuram on November 30.

Inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the train, complemented by a tunnel, station, and a ticket office, emulates the characteristics of a fully-equipped rail system. Comprising three compartments, it can accommodate forty-five people at a time. A traditional reinvention of a vintage locomotive, its engine spouts artificial steam for a nostalgic joyride.

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In his online address, P. Vijayan remarked, &ldquoThe eco-friendly solar-powered 2.5 km miniature railway will enable visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature. The Rs10 crore project is the first of its kind in the country.&rdquo 

Surplus energy generated by the train will be directed to the Kerala State Electricity Board&rsquos grid, according to Vijayan.

Veli, billed as India&rsquos eco-friendly tourist village, is expected to transition into a hotspot for projects that will facilitate its transformation into a panoramic destination by all international standards. Accompanied by an urban park and a swimming pool at its outskirts, a convention centre, art cafe, and tourist facilitation centre are expected to elevate the city&rsquos pull.