Central Railway achieves electrification of broad gauge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday complimented the team of the Central Railway for achieving 100 percent electrification of the entire broad gauge network.
“Outstanding feat. Compliments to the entire team,” the PM said in a tweet, responding to the tweet by Central Railway. As per the Central Railway, it has achieved 100 percent railway electrification on all broad gauge routes, which is almost 3825 kilometers.The last non-electrified section of the Central Railway, i.e., Ausa Road-Latur Road (52 RKM) on Solapur Division, was electrified on February 23 this year.
“The Central Railway, now fully electrified on all broad gauge routes, has helped in reducing carbon footprints by 5.204 lakh tons every year and also saved Rs. 1670 crores annually. The pace of railway electrification, which is environment-friendly and reduces pollution, has increased at 9X speed since 2014,” the Central Railways said. The railroads have planned the electrification of broad gauge routes, which will facilitate the elimination of diesel traction and result in a significant reduction in its carbon footprint and environmental pollution.
The railway, where the first electric train ran in India between the then Bombay Victoria Terminus (now ChhatrapatiShivajiMaharaj Terminus) and Kurla on the Harbour line on February 3, 1925.
“The section was electrified at 1500 volts DC. The conversion of DC traction on Mumbai Division of Central Railway to AC traction began in 2001 and wasprogressively completed in 2016, without significant disturbance to the lifeline of the nation, i.e. suburban services,” it added.
NareshLalwani, General Manager, Central Railway, said, “The Railway is guided by a historical vision of being an environment-friendly, efficient, cost-effective, punctual, and modern carrier of passengers as well as freight in order to serve the growing needs of New India.
This will also significantly reduce the fuel bill and earn carbon footprints”.