Delay likely in AC traction commissioning

The Central Railway officers claimed conversion of 1,500 Volts DC (direct current) to 25,000 Volts AC was complete and awaiting CRS inspection.

However,Chetan Bakshi,CRS central zone,said CR was still to submit all documents for review delaying inspection.

Bakshi said,“Railways have to submit all documents,including drawings,for review by commissioner of railway safety before inspection. Central Railway has sent incomplete documents. They have been informed about it.”

A senior railway officer said: “We are ready with all the work. CRS inspection is holding up the commissioning.”

The traction conversion will help Central Railway improve energy efficiency and cut transmission losses.

It will slash travel time for north- and east-bound trains such as Punjab Mail and Duronto Express by about ten minutes,as there will be no need to change locomotives at Igatpuri.

The conversion,part of World Bank-funded Mumbai Urban Transport Project 1,will also free up 20 DC-AC locomotives,which can be used for freight movement.

The frequency of trains between Thane and Kalyan will also improve by next year as 36 new AC rakes,which are to be commissioned at the beginning of 2014,will be used on this section.