WR completes electrification of newly broad gauge line between Mehsana &Vadnagar

Completes
electrification in record time of eight months

Western
Railway accomplished a great feat of completing the electrification of the
newly converted broad gauge line between Mahesana and Vadnagar in just 8
months. On 29th January, 2020, R.K. Sharma, Commissioner of Railway Safety conducted
an inspection of the work at Vadnagar station alongwith entire project.

According to a press release issued by WR CPRO Ravinder Bhakar, the section between Mahesana and Vadnagar is part of the Mahesana – Taranga Hill Gauge Conversion project. The Gauge Conversion work of Mahesana – Vadnagar section of 34.43 km was completed and opened for traffic on 23rd July, 2019. The electrification of this section was sanctioned by Ministry of Railways in April 2019 at a total cost of Rs. 74.66 cr.

The electrification
work was taken by Western Railway on war footing and the work began in month of
May 2019 itself. The work was planned judiciously & milestones like casting
of foundation, mast erection, brackt assembly, wiring & adjustments were
critically monitored. With great dedication and keenness towards completion of
the project, the work of electrification of Mahesana – Vadnagar section of
34.43 route km. has been completed within the record time of mere 8 months.

Bhakar added
that even though the Mahesana-Vadnagar section faced torrential rains during
the monsoon season which held up the work for about 3 months, but the work
completed in record time. It has certainly set a benchmark for other similar
projects being executed by Western Railway to realize the nation’s ambitious
mission of 100% electrification of railways.

With the
completion of the electrification work, Vadnagar which is also the birthplace
of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now connected with railway network on
electric traction. Vadnagar station is being developed as a tourist destination
on heritage circuit of Vadnagar – Madhera – Patan under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
This section will now witness a socio-economic boom for the locals residing in
the area by opening doors for bigger opportunities. It will bring boost to the
economic, tourism and agricultural development in the areas and provide better
opportunities to the people of the area.

Now that
electric traction is extended up to Vadnagar, railway is expected to introduce
more reliable and energy efficient MEMU services as well as introduce new
Mail/Express trains on this route.