(Photo Courtesy: NFR)
Maligaon, October 23 (MExN): The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has converted 12 more train services from diesel to electric traction with effect from October 16, marking another step towards cleaner and more energy-efficient railway operations.
With this transition, a total of 30 train services have been shifted to electric traction across NFR during the current financial year, strengthening its efforts to reduce dependence on diesel and promote environmentally sustainable transportation.
The latest conversion covers six pairs of trains: the 15613/15614 Lachit Express, 15813/15814 Dekargaon-Silapathar Express, 15895/15896 Rangiya-Murkongselek Express, 15927/15928 Rangiya-New Tinsukia Express, 15967/15968 Rangiya-Ledo Express and 15603/15604 Guwahati-Ledo Intercity Express.
According to railway estimates, the transition is expected to reduce annual diesel consumption by approximately 98.55 lakh litres, resulting in savings of around Rs 140 crore annually and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 26,411 tonnes a year.
Passengers are also expected to benefit from fewer locomotive changes between diesel and electric traction, helping reduce transit time and improve punctuality, the NFR said.
Electric locomotives equipped with Head-on Generation (HOG) facilities can supply power directly to compatible coaches, reducing the need for diesel-powered generator cars attached to Linke-Hofmann-Busch (LHB) rakes. This also helps minimise noise and air pollution, it added.
The milestone was achieved under the guidance of NFR General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava and Principal Chief Electrical Engineer Sudhanshu Krishna Dubey, with coordinated efforts from the divisional teams.
NFR reiterated its commitment to expanding electric traction to provide cleaner, more efficient and reliable railway services across the region.