(Representational image)
Mysuru: While many thought that after the recent inauguration of electric train facility between Mysuru and Bengaluru by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all the trains between the two points will run on an electric locomotive, the ground truth remains that barring few trains most others are still operating on the diesel locomotive. The reason being that several of the trains are not just restricted between Mysuru and Bengaluru but they continue their onward journey towards Arsikere and other routes that are yet to get electrified.
The much-awaited Humsafar Express train was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Mysuru Railway Station in February. Since then just six to seven trains, including Shatabdi Express, Cauvery Express, Jaipur Express are running on the electric locomotive.
According to reliable sources, apart from Mysuru and Bengaluru stretch, the other routes such as Bengaluru-Arsikere-Hubli and Bengaluru- Mangaluru and other routes in South Western Railway are yet to be electrified. Since it requires a minimum of 15 to 30 minutes to change the engine, the trains are being operated on diesel locomotive to save valuable journey time. Electric locomotives are being used only on stretches that are continuously electrified.
Notably, even the Hamsafar Express is being operated on diesel locomotive because after reaching Bengaluru, it passes through Arsikere and Hubli where electrification is yet to be taken up.
Another problem to run the electric train between Mysuru and Bengaluru is the shortage of electric locomotives. If they get few more electric locomotives, including Chamundi Express which is operated between Mysuru and Bengaluru, they could run on the electric locomotive. This apart, maintenance of these electric locomotives requires an electric locomotive shed which is temporarily coming up at the existing diesel locomotive shed in Krishnarajapuram, Bengaluru.
Once all the trains start running on electricity, the travel time, as well as expenditure will reduce and it will be more eco-friendly. Every day more than 24 trains originate from Mysuru. The railways will be saving nearly Rs 10 lakh per day which translates into a saving of Rs 36 Crore per year.
Apart from this, there are more advantages once electric locomotive is operational. The speed pick is also more in electric locomotive when compared to the diesel locomotive. During an emergency, the electric locomotive train can also be stopped quickly.
Though the project was sanctioned along with track doubling in 2007-08 rail budget, it gained momentum in 2011 and was completed in November last year. The initial cost of electrification was Rs 69.5 Crore for the 139-km stretch between Bengaluru and Mysuru at the rate of Rs 50 lakh per km. But the revised cost for the project is estimated at around Rs 210 Crore. The project was taken on cost sharing basis that is 50 percent from central and 50 percent from the state government. The project was handled by the Central Organisation for Railway Electrification (CORE). Mysuru-Bengaluru double line project with electrification was taken up in three phases-Bengaluru-Kengeri (12.22 km), Kengeri-Ramanagaram (32.17 km) and Ramanagaram-Mysuru (93.86 km).
Railway Minister Piyush Goel wants to abolish diesel engine by 2020:
Railway Minister Piyush Goel even mentioned that by 2020, diesel engines across the country will be abolished and every train and route would be electrified by 2020. Though earlier, the target was 2022 to make all routes electrified, Piyush Goel advanced it by 2020. Up to March 2017, around 25,367 route kilometers which is nearly 37.65 percent of the total railway network has been electrified.
