DC-AC conversion between Thane and Kalyan soon

Having got the green signal from the commissioner of railway safety (CRS),the Central Railway (CR) will start direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) conversion between Kalyan and Thane and on the fifth and sixth lines,between Kalyan and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) from November 10.

The conversion will help in saving energy and cut transmission losses. It will also reduce the travel time of outstation trains coming to and going from LTT as a change of engine at Igatpuri will not be required.

The conversion will also free up 20 DC-AC locomotives,which could be used for freight movement,said railway officers.

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After two inspections were conducted by CRS (Central zone) Chetan Bakshi,in August,the remaining two inspections were conducted on October 29 and 30. Bakshi has given CR the go-ahead to charge both sections with 25,000-volt AC.

P K Shrivastava,chief electrical engineer,CR,said,“We will commission the traction on this section from DC to AC after Diwali.”