The PM agrees for 100% Electrification of Indian Railways

 100% electrification of Indian Railways by 2021-22

The Prime minister led Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 12.09.2018 approved 100% electrification of Indian Railways. The Railway Minister Sh. Piyush Goyal announced that all the Broad Gauge (BG) lines will be Electrified by the year 2021-22.

 Electrification of 13,675 RKM with a cost of Rs. 12,134.50 Crore

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs(CCEA), has approved the proposal for electrification of complete Indian Railways (IR)  network comprising of 108 sections covering 13,675 route kilometres of Broad gauge railway line at a total cost of Rs.12,134.50 crore.

Indian trains primarily run on electricity or diesel. Currently, around two-third of freight and more than half of passenger traffic in Indian Railways are hauled by the electric traction (electric locos). However, electric engines are very cost effective and accounts for just 37% of the total energy expenses of Indian Railways.

 Electrification of important missing links of major routes

The major routes on Indian Railways network have already been electrified and are operational. But some of the important link connecting major routes are still non electrified. The proposed electrification, which is mainly for missing links and last mile connectivity will increase the operational efficiency and improve the average speed of trains.

 Futuristic step will save revenue of Govt and Environment

The rail minister said once the project is completed, Railways may become the largest electrified rail network in the world. Besides, complete electrification of broad gauge routes will have a significant impact on safety, capacity and speed. It will reduce pollution and make railways faster and safer.

• Railways is likely to save in Fuel bill of Rs 13,510 crore per annum.
• Will generate employment of about 20.4 crore man days.
• Reduce the use of imported fossil fuels and consumption of high speed diesel
• Reduce the expenditure on maintenance of locomotives
• Reduction in Green House Gases (GHG) emissions

In a press statement Railways said that the step will also help it to reduce expenditure on maintenance of locomotives. Electric locomotive maintenance cost is ₹16.45 per thousand gross tonne km (GTKM), while for diesel locomotive it is ₹32.84 per thousand GTKM.

 Divergent views over Electrification of Indian Railways

In the last CCEA meeting, The Prime Minister himself was against the 100% electrification of Railways, and turned down the proposal of Rail Minister Piyush Goyal. But a vocal supporter of 100% electrification, Piyush Goyal succeeded  to convince the Prime Minister.

The time will tell the benefits of this huge expenditure over electrification of rail network. But one thing is clear that direction is clear from the top management.

 

Do you agree that 100% Electrification is a wise decision?

• Yes, it is the need of the hour.
• Partially agree, but this is not the right time.
• No, not at all. it is worst decision.

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 What will be the future of Diesel traction ??

The Rail Minister said that there are numerous possibilities on what to do with them (diesel engines) in the light of the changed traction policy of the Railways.

Minister further added that “We will need (diesel) engines for back-up whenever there is any problem in the electric system. We will need diesel engines in the border areas. We can look at exporting these engines also. So various opportunities and possibilities are there”. Goyal also said that the diesel engines would be converted into electric ones during the periodic overhaul of each engine, so that the diesel fleet gradually turns electric.