This project is in line with the big dream of Indian Railways to implement carbon neutrality projects by 2030 to avoid severe adverse effects of climate change and protect the environment. The Economic Times reported quoting railway department officials that the country is looking to electrify 411 pit lines for maintenance by December 2023 and end the use of conventional fossil fuels. It is also noteworthy that electrification of 302 pit lines has already been completed.
Pit lines are used to provide critical service in train service. Pit lines are mainly used to check and ensure the functioning of electrical devices like lights, fans and mobile charging points in train coaches before each service.
Railway officials also point out that 70 to 80 percent cost savings can be achieved with the electrification of pit lines. It is also believed that more than 450 crores of income can be earned annually through this project. At present, LHB rakes are operating on Head-on-Generation (HOG) system.
Diesel based rakes are costly to operate. 668 Crores annually, the Railways has to face recurring expenditure. And the cost is increasing at the rate of 20 percent every year. This background also prompted the acceleration of the electrification of the pit lines.
An internal audit conducted by Indian Railways in 2022 had specifically pointed out that 1,84,000 liters of diesel per day was required for maintenance of Link Hoffman Bush (LHB) rakes in the pit lines.
An internal audit conducted by Indian Railways in 2022 had specifically pointed out that 1,84,000 liters of diesel per day was required for maintenance of Link Hoffman Bush (LHB) rakes in the pit lines. As there is no power supply in the pit lines, diesel generators are used for maintenance of LHB coaches, so much fuel is required. Instead, it is aimed to implement power supply of 750 volts through grid for testing of LHB rakes in the Indian railway network.
