+
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.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Assam Gets Approval For 350,000 PMAY Homes

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi, where the minister handed an approval document for 310,000 new homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The chief minister subsequently posted on X expressing gratitude and noting that the minister had formally handed approval for 380,000 homes as well. The release and the social media post contained varying figures, with broader references to 350,000 homes reported in some summaries. The approvals carry central assistance equivalent to Rs 50 billion (bn), corresponding to the five th..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

KPIGreen Achieves Highest Energised Capacity of 630+ MW DC

KPI Green Energy energised more than 630 MW DC of capacity in the June to August quarter, marking the highest quarterly addition in the company's history. The capacity was brought online across its Independent Power Producer (IPP) and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) businesses. The company said the achievement reflected the scale, speed and consistency of its project execution engine. The firm described the quarter as a material operational milestone since its founding. The milestone covers a diversified mix of IPP assets and projects executed under the EPC vertical, spanning u..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Adani Energy Solutions Wins Rs 47 bn Maharashtra Transmission Project

Adani Energy Solutions has won a transmission contract in Maharashtra valued at Rs 47 billion (Rs 47 bn) to evacuate 4,500 megawatt (MW) of renewable and storage power. The company informed exchanges that the project will facilitate pumped storage potential near Satara and strengthen the inter-regional corridor between the Western and Southern grids. The award follows a competitive bidding process and will support renewable energy evacuation to major load centres in the state. The scope includes establishment of a 765/400 kV substation at Satara, construction of a Kolhapur-Satara 765 kV double..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code