Project to make huge improvement in energy efficiency and reduction in carbon footprint, says Ministry
Metro Railway Kolkata has floated a tender for replacement with aluminium composite the existing steel Third Rail. The first phase between Dumdum to Shyambazar starts the phased replacement of 35-Rail km main line which has powered Metro Rake to rolling stock at 750V DC.
Announcing this on 30 Aug, the Ministry of Railways said the second phase work would be from Shyambazar to Central and J D Park to Tollygunge, and the third phase would be between Mahanayak Uttam Kumar (Tollygunge) to Kavi Subhash (New Garia).
The advantages of aluminium composite Third Rail over steel Third Rail are:
Reduction in resistive current loss and improved Traction voltage level as the resistance of steel Third Rail is around six times higher than composite Aluminium Third Rail.
On an average, for 10 km corridor with use of Aluminium composite Third Rail would require one less Traction Substation compared to steel Third Rail i.e. a straight saving of approx.Rs.210 crores capital investment for the 35 km of Metro corridor.
The reduced voltage drop shall facilitate achieving faster acceleration with the same rake available with Metro Railway Kolkata.
Reduced maintenance and life cycle cost. The requirement of painting of Third Rail every 5 years may not be needed anymore. The frequency of measurement of Third Rail dimension may reduce significantly. There may be no possibility of damage due to rusting etc
Improvement in the efficiency of train operations.
Huge improvement in Energy Efficiency and reduction in carbon footprint.
Estimated energy saving using composite Aluminium Third Rail may be approximately 6.7 million units per annum.
Improves headway of the trains.
The Ministry explained Metro Railway Kolkata decision to use composite Aluminium Third Rail in all the upcoming corridors being undertaken for construction along with retro fitment in existing corridor with steel Third Rail.
With this Metro Railway Kolkata would become the member of elite club of London, Moscow, Berlin, Munich and Istanbul Metro who have also shifted from steel Third Rail to Aluminium Third Rail.
The Metro Railway Kolkata, India’s first Metro built by Indian Railways on 24 October 1984, has been serving as a lifeline for Kolkata for nearly 40 years. Fiinews.com
