+
Indian Railways electrifies pit lines for diesel savings
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Indian Railways electrifies pit lines for diesel savings

The Indian Railways is targeting significant diesel savings of approximately 200,000 litres daily by electrifying all pit lines across its network. These lines are crucial inspection points where train coaches undergo assessments for electrical issues in components like lights, fans, and mobile charging outlets before commencing their next journeys.

Aligned with the railways' ambition of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030, this initiative stands as a crucial step in its environmental commitments. To achieve this, the plan is to replace fossil fuels with grid electrification for all 411 maintenance pits by December 2023, with 302 pits already electrified.

An internal review conducted in 2022 spotlighted the substantial diesel consumption of 184,000 litres per day for Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) rake maintenance due to diesel generators needed during electrical fault rectifications. To mitigate this, the setup of a 750V power supply through grids was sanctioned for all LHB maintenance pits across the Indian Railways.

Reiterating the railways' goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2030, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized this during March 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reinforced this objective while inaugurating 508 'Amrit Bharat' stations. The electrification of pit lines, which formerly heavily relied on diesel, is an integral part of this overarching effort.

Beyond environmental benefits, the electrification project is anticipated to reduce costs by 70-80% compared to the existing head-on-generation (HOG-compliant) LHB rakes. This strategic move is predicted to yield over Rs 450 crore annually. Previously, diesel-powered rakes incurred annual expenses exceeding Rs 668 crore, projected to increase by 20% due to diesel inflation and the expansion of the LHB fleet.

The Indian Railways is targeting significant diesel savings of approximately 200,000 litres daily by electrifying all pit lines across its network. These lines are crucial inspection points where train coaches undergo assessments for electrical issues in components like lights, fans, and mobile charging outlets before commencing their next journeys.Aligned with the railways' ambition of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030, this initiative stands as a crucial step in its environmental commitments. To achieve this, the plan is to replace fossil fuels with grid electrification for all 411 maintenance pits by December 2023, with 302 pits already electrified.An internal review conducted in 2022 spotlighted the substantial diesel consumption of 184,000 litres per day for Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) rake maintenance due to diesel generators needed during electrical fault rectifications. To mitigate this, the setup of a 750V power supply through grids was sanctioned for all LHB maintenance pits across the Indian Railways.Reiterating the railways' goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2030, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized this during March 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reinforced this objective while inaugurating 508 'Amrit Bharat' stations. The electrification of pit lines, which formerly heavily relied on diesel, is an integral part of this overarching effort.Beyond environmental benefits, the electrification project is anticipated to reduce costs by 70-80% compared to the existing head-on-generation (HOG-compliant) LHB rakes. This strategic move is predicted to yield over Rs 450 crore annually. Previously, diesel-powered rakes incurred annual expenses exceeding Rs 668 crore, projected to increase by 20% due to diesel inflation and the expansion of the LHB fleet.

Next Story
Real Estate

Omaxe to Develop 450-Acre Township in Indore’s Super Corridor

Omaxe has announced a major expansion in Madhya Pradesh with the acquisition of 450 acres along Indore’s Super Corridor for a modern integrated township. The company will invest Rs 12 billion in the multi-phase project, which is expected to generate Rs 25 billion in revenue over three years.  The development will include residential clusters, commercial and retail zones, schools, healthcare facilities, parks, and green mobility infrastructure. The township aims to support the region’s urban growth and rising infrastructure demand, especially with metro connectivity and major road..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

India’s First CBG Plant with Steel Pipeline Integration Launched

CEID Consultants and Engineering has successfully commissioned India’s first Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant integrated via a steel pipeline into a City Gas Distribution (CGD) network. Located in Batala, Gurdaspur (Punjab), the MEPL Bio-energy facility now directly supplies CBG into Gujarat Gas’ grid, eliminating the need for cylinder-based cascade transport and significantly lowering logistics costs. This breakthrough comes after CEID’s earlier deployment of MDPE pipeline offtake at the same plant. The steel pipeline marks a new industry benchmark, enabling continuous, real-time and ..

Next Story
Real Estate

Mittal Builders Plans Landmark Township to Transform Naigaon

Mittal Builders has unveiled a bold urban vision to transform Naigaon into a landmark micro-market in western Mumbai, with plans to unlock 6.5 million sq. ft. of development potential across a 70-acre land parcel. The long-term multi-phase plan has an estimated gross development value (GDV) of over Rs 80 billion. As part of this initiative, Mittal Builders has signed a joint development agreement with The House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) to co-develop a 3 million sq. ft. integrated township, comprising over 4,600 apartments and high-street retail. With a planned investment of Rs 20 billi..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?