Focus on tech-savvy Linke Hofmann Busch coaches
Indian Railways (IR) continues to take measures for modernization of various segments of infrastructure and services, said Minister of State in Ministry of Railways, Rajen Gohain, in a written reply to parliament on 16 Mar 2018.
These measures are coaches and passenger services, electric locomotives, diesel locomotives, electrification, signaling among others.
Some of the steps taken during the last three years for the same are as under:
Proliferation of Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches, which are technologically superior, have better speed potential, aesthetics and safety features.
The Production Units of IR would be producing only LHB coaches from the year 2018-19 onwards.
Semi-high speed Gatimaan Express between Delhi and Agra has been introduced in service and is running at a maximum speed of 160 kmph.
For the assistance of visually impaired travelers, Integrated Braille signages, i.e. signages superimposed with Braille scripts, are being provided in the newly manufactured coaches of IR.
Retrofitment of the same in existing coaches has also been taken up in a phased manner.
IR has installed 473 escalators at 171 stations.
Similarly, there is a massive expansion program for provision of lifts and provision has been made for 500 railway stations in Budget (2018-19).
A procurement cum Maintenance Agreement(PCMA) has been signed with Madhepura Electric Locomotive Private Limited (MELPL), a Joint Venture Company, for setting up of electric locomotive manufacturing facility at Madhepura, Bihar for manufacturing and supplying 800 High Horse Power.
During last three years (2015-18), 91 Railways Electrification projects of 16,353 route kilometers at an estimated cost of `16,725.50 crore have been included in Budget.
Pace of electrification has been increased from present average of 1,441 RKM/Annum to 4,000 RKM/Annum.
A work for modernisation of signaling system at a total cost of Euro44 million on Ghaziabad-Kanpur section of North Central Railway was undertaken through funding from KFW (Kreditanstalt Fur Wiederaufbau) Bank, Germany.
As per Budget announcement(2015-16), IR will provide 1,000 Mega Watt(MW) solar power plants and 200 MW wind power plants by 2020.
Till date, solar power plants of 33.14 MW have already been installed and various other initiatives in progress.
Similarly, 36.5 MW of wind power plants have been installed so far and other initiatives are in progress.
All Railway Stations, service buildings and residential quarters are being provided with energy efficient LED fittings replacing the existing inefficient electrical fittings.
So far 6,762 stations have already been provided with 100% LED lighting. fii-news.com
