Indian Railways implements Provision of 750 V power supply for maintenance of Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) rakes at washing/sick lines. IR awards infra creation at 411 washing/pit lines covering the entire country at Rs 210 Crores.
More Details:
- In November 2016, the Railway Board took a policy decision to switch over 100% of its production to LHB coaches from April 2018. An energy review undertaken at the Railway Board showed that at 2021-22 base the diesel consumption of testing and maintenance of LHB rakes at washing/pit lines was about 1.84 lakh litres per day amounting to an annual recurring expense of approx. Rs 668+ Cr which was projected to increase @ 20+% p.a. being a combined function of diesel prices and LHB fleet induction.Comparatively, grid electrical energy is 70% to 80% cheaper.
- This issue is typical to LHB and does not arise in ICF coaches, and therefore, infrastructure and capacity creation at washing/pit lines by providing 750V power supply for testing & maintenance of LHB rakes was important.
- With this aim, capital works for 411 washing/pit lines on Indian Railways (IR) were sanctioned at a total capital cost of approx. Rs 210 Cr. It was a thrust area monitored by the Railway Board in a span of less than one year, capital works were sanctioned and works awarded for infra creation at 411 washing/pit lines, covering entire IR and by end of July 2023 works at 316 washing/pit lines have been completed. Rest are targeted for completion by Q2 of 2023.
- The infrastructure created, by investing a capital of Rs 210 Cr in infra capacity creation at washing/pit lines, would yield a net savings of Rs 500+ Cr every year in Ordinary Working Expenses. Coupled with the target of HOG compliant locomotive fleet on IR, savings shall be much higher.
- This is a part of IR’s efforts to improve operational viability of passenger services, particularly the Mail/Express segment through non-tariff measures by reducing costs and improving efficiency with optimisation.
- IR is deeply committed to cutting fossil fuel dependence and reducing its carbon footprint in the economy to achieve Net Zero by 2030. The Hon’ble PM had laid down this in the National Statement at COP 26. This work is a step towards IR’s low carbon transition pathways to adopt a carbon neutral growth strategy.
- The above showcases IR’s relentless pursuit in identifying works and areas that fetch discernible benefits – in terms of safety, cost economies, carbon footprint and HR efficiency.
- In Southern Railway, 41 pitlines have been provided with 750v power supply for testing and maintenance of LHB rakes. 45 targeted for completion by 2023. Remaining 4 pit lines will be completed shortly.
Work: Provision of 750 V power supply for maintenance of LHB rakes at washing/sick lines:
| Cost | Benefit | |
| IR’s Total Capital Cost | Rs 210 Cr approx. | Rs 500+ Cr annual recurring net cash savings in O.W.E. (Ordinary Working Expenses) at 2021-22 base. Non-tariff measure to reduce losses/subsidy on passenger services: Rs 500+ Cr is a direct reduction of cross-subsidisation of passenger by freight services in general and improves operational viability of passenger services in Mail/Express segment in particular. |
| CO_2e emission reduction by energy substitution – fossil fuel with grid | ||
| HR and better Safety (by eliminating diesel use of this high scale) | ||
Pit lines with 750v power supply in Southern Railway for LHB rake maintenance:
- In Southern Railway, of the total 45 pit lines proposed, 41 pitlines have been provided with 750v power supply for testing and maintenance of LHB rakes.
- The work has been completed at the 41 pit lines located at Basin Bridge (14 pit lines), Egmore Gopalsamy Nagar Depot (3 pit lines), Tambaram (2 pit lines), Madurai (4 pit lines), Tirunelveli (3 pit lines), Thiruvananthapuram Central (5 pit lines), Ernakulam Marshalling yard (3 pit lines), Nagercoil (3 pit lines), Coimbatore Jn (2 pit lines) and Tiruchchirappalli Jn (2 pit lines).
- Apart from the 41 pit lines provided, the work at the remaining 4 pit lines will be completed shortly.
Source: Southern Railway- Press Release | Image Credit (representational): Southern Railway
