AC local trains project on track

Top railway officials discussed with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and Research Design and Standards Organisation last week introduction of AC rakes in the suburban section.

On April 4-5,BHEL officials led by additional general manager (transportation system group) A Sivalingam; Gert Klassen,senior technical consultant,Structon Rail,Netherlands,and Prashant Mishra,director RDSO,visited Mumbai Central EMU car shed to discuss the project.

In September 2012,BHEL officials had discussed with Western Railway (WR) officials basic requirements for AC trains.

BHEL is to provide electric equipment for AC rakes in collaboration with consultant Structon.

It has been decided that around 30-tonne air conditioners would be required considering Mumbai temperatures, said a senior WR official.

Sunil Goyal,chief electrical engineer,WR,said,Design of electric equipment has been finalised. After RDSO approves it,BHEL will send the electric equipment to Integral Coach Factory,Chennai,for manufacture of AC rakes.

WR officials claimed this year,commuters will see AC local trains on tracks.

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Senior officials from WR are of the opinion that air-conditioned trains should follow international designs.

In a survey conducted by Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation in 2010,many suburban commuters demanded AC trains.

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