L&T Construction bags Railway Electrification contract from CORE

The construction arm of L&T has secured an order from Central Organisation for Railway Electrification (CORE). The Railways Strategic Business Unit that resides within the Transportation Infrastructure business has won the order from the CORE. 

• This Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC), Package EPC-15A order involves 25 KV Overhead Electrification, Power Supply, Signaling & Telecommunication and associated works for 383.4 RKM/459 TKM of Railway Lines in the Northeast Frontier Railway. 
• The project is part of the “Mission Electrification” initiative of the Central Government aimed to electrify the entire Indian Railway Network to reduce the carbon footprint as well as reduce the expenditure on diesel. 
• The business is already executing three major EPC contracts from CORE:
  • EPC-01 (Delhi-Jaipur line)
  • EPC-07 (Various sections of the Southern Railway)
  • EPC-06 (Various sections of the North Western Railway)

About Larsen & Toubro:

• Larsen & Toubro is an Indian multinational engaged in EPC Projects, Hi-Tech Manufacturing and Services with over USD 21 billion in revenue. 
• It operates in over 30 countries  worldwide.
• A strong, customer focused approach and the constant quest for top-class quality have enabled L&T to attain and sustain leadership in its major lines of business for eight decades.

Mission Electrification:

Indian Railways has logged the highest ever electrification of sections covering 6,015 Route Kilometer (RKM) in a single year during 2020-21. Despite COVID pandemic, It has surpassed the previous highest of 5,276 RKM achieved in 2018-19.

• It is a proud moment for Indian Railways for achieving the target of 6000 km plus electrification project completion during tough time 2020-21. Indian Railways is becoming environment friendly and energy secured.
• The latest Broad Gauge network of Indian Railways is 63,949 Route kilometer (RKM) and with 740 km of Konkan Railway is 64,689 RKM, out of which 45,881 RKM i.e. 71 % have been electrified by 31.03.2021.
• A lot of emphasis has been given to Railway Electrification in recent years with a view to reduce the Nation’s dependence on imported petroleum-based energy and to enhance the country’s energy security, with a vision of providing eco-friendly, faster and energy-efficient mode of transportation.
• More than 5 times electrification was achieved during (2014-21) last seven years as compared to during 2007-14. Since 2014, a record 24,080 RKM (37% of present Broad Gauge routes) have been electrified against electrification of 4,337 RKM (7% of present Broad Gauge routes) during 2007-14.
• Out of total 45,881 RKM electrified so far, 34 % has been electrified in the last three years only.
• Indian Railways has also commissioned a record 56 TSSs ( Traction Sub Stations ) during 2020-21, as against previous best of 42, which is an improvement of 33% despite COVID pandemic.
• A total of 201 Traction Sub Stations have been commissioned during the last seven years as well.

Some of the Major sections electrified by the Indian Railways over the year are as follows:

Indian Railways has planned to fully electrify its tracks by December 2023. Total Rail electrification would contribute to the goal of “net zero” emissions by 2030 by drawing its entire electrical load from renewable energy sources.

Source: L&T-Press Release | Image Credit: Piyush goyal office- Twitter