WR’s Rajkot and Bhavnagar divisions finds place on map of electric traction

Operated its first Electric train in Rajkot & Bhavnagar divisions

Keeping pace with nation’s mission of 100% electrification over Indian Railways, Western Railway has added yet another feather to its cap by achieving the highest electrification of 664 RKM during financial year 2019-20. This includes Ahmedabad -Palanpur, Ahmedabad – Viramgam, Viramgam – Mehsana, Surendranagar – Botad – Dhola & Surendranagar – Dhrangadhra in the state of Gujarat.

On 10th June, 2020, Western Rly operated its first Electric train in Rajkot & Bhavnagar divisions, thereby these divisions entered on the map of Electric Traction with successful operation of goods train KIIP/PPSP (Double Stack Container) from Palanpur to Botad with High Rise Pantographs at both ends. Alok Kansal – General Manager of Western Rly has expressed his pleasure on this historical achievement of WR & has congratulated Sanjiv Bhutani – Principal Chief Electrical Engineer of W.Rly. & his concerned team of officers, employees & workers alongwith all other departments for this commendable achievement.

According to a press release issued by WR CPRO Ravinder Bhakar, under the leadership of Alok Kansal, a major impetus was provided for the completion of various infrastructural projects, especially the electrification work which is one of the cleanest & efficient variants of energy. This feat is a step towards electrification of route upto Pipavav port to carry double stack containers from Pipavav port to Delhi via Palanpur during current financial year 2020-21.

Western Railway had completed the electrification of route from Surendranagar- Botad section during March, 2020 and CRS sanction was obtained. However, due to the nationwide lockdown, there were huge constraints in mobilizing resources to start electric train in this route. The team of Rajkot & Bhavnagar Divisions of Western Railway and Rail Electrification’s Ahmedabad unit worked hard day in & day out during the lockdown period and established TPC organizations in these divisional HQs & one depot each at Surendranagar & Botad.

Kansal congratulated the team for their contributions, especially by Team RE/ Ahmedabad as well as the Divisional teams comprising of Electrical / TRD, Signal & Telecom as well as Operating, Mechanical & Personnel departments, who have also contributed substantially to make it possible.

Bhakar stated that WR is the first among Zonal Railways to successfully run double stack containers in electrified territory, for which high raise OHE having contact wire height of 7.57 metre has been provided, first of its kind in the world. With introduction of electric traction, which is pollution free and energy efficient mode of transport, Western Railway is expected to save about Rs.100 crores per annum on fuel expenses. To carry 1000 GTKM on electric traction, hardly 4.5 unit of electric energy is consumed, which costs about Rs.25 as against 2 liters of HSD oil costing about Rs.150 to carry same load by diesel traction. Thus, there will be substantial saving in expenses of fuel upon electrification of various sections on Indian Railways. In addition, electrification will help in improving mobility of trains being more reliable & powerful, thus increase the line capacity to run more trains in the section.