Harvesting rainwater and solar power: Guntakal in Andhra Pradesh becomes first railway station to install 'Ulta Chaata'

In a first of its kind initiative in Indian Railways, the Guntakal railway station in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh has installed "Ulta Chaata" (Inverted Umbrella ), a type of canopy which can harness solar power and also harvest rainwater. 

The innovative move by South Central Railway's Guntakal division is part of "Greener Railways" initiative undertaken by Indian Railways.

Six such "Ulta Chaatas," which are canopies shaped like inverted umbrellas with solar panel fitted on top, were installed at the railway station. The main purpose of each canopy is to utilise the sustainable space and harness solar power besides providing shelter for seating with mobile and laptop charging facilities. 

The canopy is also called "Model 1080" due to its geometrical angles of the internal structure. The simple design of the umbrella, which is normally used for protection from rain, is taken as the base design. 

The product is manufactured and supplied by ThinkPhi Sustainable Lab Pvt Ltd to the South Central Railway. And as per the company, this product is the world's first integrated plug and play system combining shading, clean water and lighting.

At the Guntakal Railway Station, six inverted umbrellas are installed at the cost of Rs 14 lakh approximately.

Each inverted umbrella is the size of 5 m x 5 m with a weight of 120 kgs. They are square shaped with a central stainless tube consisting of 40  watts efficient LED lamps. These canopies are provided with a monocrystalline flexible lightweight panel, lithium-ion battery with charge controller, automated sensor controls.

These canopies are installed by the side of exit road and along the walking path on the premises of Guntakal Railway station.

Other features and uses of 'Ulta Chaata': 

# Entire structure stands on single centre mass which is helpful in having different sizes according to need.
# Since it is a standalone structure with solar energy generation, there is no need for electrical supply and cabling
# During rainy days, water is collected through the canopy.
# Annual rainwater collection of each canopy is up to maximum 60,000 litres.
# Water can be diverted to the tank for conserving the water.
# Underground plumbing network connects to the outlet which enables groundwater recharge or storage in existing tanks.
# On rest of the days apart from the rainy season, solar power can be generated.
# 2,000-micron PVDF coated membrane top mesh to reduce any larger organic matter and then there is an internal filter system, which reduces any suspended solid.
# These canopies can withstand wind tolerance of 140 kmph.
# Any excess energy can be plugged into the grid.
# All the units of the model come with in-built inverters
# Seating arrangement can be made under the umbrella