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Maligaon, August 21 (MExN): Indian Railways has decided to switch over to 100% of its passenger coach production to Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches from April 2018 for enhancing safety. An energy review undertaken showed that at 2021-22 base the diesel consumption on 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+ crore 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 model coaches, and therefore, infrastructure and capacity creation at washing/pit lines by providing 750V power supply for testing and maintenance of LHB rakes was important.
With this aim, capital works for 411 washing/pit lines on Indian Railways were sanctioned at a total capital cost of approx. Rs 210 crore. 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 Indian Railways and by end of July 2023 works at 316 washing/pit lines have been completed. Rest are targeted for completion by second quarter of 2023.
The infrastructure so created, by investing a capital of Rs 210 crore in infra capacity creation at washing/pit lines, would yield a net savings of Rs 500+ crore every year in Ordinary Working Expenses. Coupled with the target of HOG compliant locomotive fleet on Indian Railways, savings shall be much higher. Thisare a part of Indian Railways’ efforts to improve operational viability of passenger services, particularly Mail/Express segment through non-tariff measures by reducing operating costs and improving efficiency with optimisation.
In NF Railway, 750V power supply are being provided at washing/pit lines in 10 coach maintenance depots for maintenance of LHB rakes. Out of these, installation works of 750 V power supply have been completed in seven depots and rest are in advance stages of completion. These infrastructural works of power supply are being executed in NFR depots at a cost approx. Rs 15.40 crore which will lead to substantial reduction in fossil fuel bill. The saving for the month of July 2023 is 67,219 litres (approx) and the anticipated HSD Fueling Savings in pit-line/sick line on account of 750V external power supply for the one year is 8,06,628 litres (approx).
