Kolkata, September 12, 2023
Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Divisional Railway Manager of Howrah, along with distinguished Divisional officers, officially opened a cutting-edge 750V power supply system for the maintenance of HOG coaches at the washing/sick line of maintenance depot at Tikiapara. The event, which took place on September 11, 2023, represented a significant achievement in the campaign to lower the consumption of High Speed Diesel (HSD) oil and the carbon footprint of railway operations. This indicates that a significant advancement has been made in the efforts to reduce the consumption of HSD oil and make trains run on railway tracks more environment friendly.
The HOG (Head on Generation) system, a notable advancement in the LHB rake system, has been introduced as an eco-conscious alternative to the EOG (End on Generation) system, primarily aimed at running coaching stock. However, in the maintenance yard, due to the unavailability of Electric Locomotives (LOCO), the reliance on the EOG system has led to considerable consumption of HSD oil.
Benefits of the project are substantial. Currently, approximately 700 litres of High Speed Diesel (HSD) oil are consumed daily for coach maintenance. With a 750V supply available throughout the yard, this volume of HSD oil will be conserved. The financial impact is notable with an estimated saving of Rs 49,000 per day, totalling Rs 14.7 lakhs per month, and a staggering Rs 1.76 Crore per annum for Indian Railways.
Beyond the financial benefits, this initiative stands as a testament to our commitment to environmental sustainability. By reducing HSD oil consumption, we are actively working to diminish our carbon footprint.
In addition to inaugurating the 750V power supply, Shri Sanjeev Kumar also visited the Railways’ mechanized laundry plant at Tikiapara, where he took stock of operations. DRM also assessed the situation of maintenance at EMU car shed and inspected the Vande Bharat shed at Jhil Siding.
