Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/karnataka-50-rail-network-electrified-state-ranked-24th/articleshow/93168834.cms
Publisher: TOI
BENGALURU: Electrification of Karnataka’s rail network crossed 50% till June, according to Indian Railways, but it’s way behind the national average of 80.4%.
Of 3,818 broad gauge (BG) route kilometre (RKM) in Karnataka, electrification of 1,921 RKM has been completed till July.
Karnataka stands 24th among 32 states/union territories in the country; only the eight northeastern states are behind it in this exercise.
Across the country, Indian Railways has electrified 52,386 RKM (80.4%) of the total 65,141 RKM. South Western Railway, which covers most parts of Karnataka, electrified 2,048 RKM (56.7%) of 3,606 RKM till July.
Sources said lack of political will and priority of railways to focus on lines which sees less freight movement resulted in the delay. Karnataka had less freight movements by rail compared to other states.
However, Indian Railways is planning to electrify the entire network by 2023-2024.
“Besides being environment friendly, electrification will save foreign exchange reserves spent on high-speed diesel. In addition, passenger trains with higher speed and heavier goods trains can operate on such tracks,” said an official.
Officials said 100% electrification will provide seamless operations by eliminating detention of trains due to change in traction from diesel to electric and vice versa.
It will help railways enhance line capacity due to higher speed The move to phase out diesel-guzzling locomotives is also expected to reduce greenhouse gas emission as well fuel consumption.
Electrified track but underutilised
Though SWR has electrified many sections, it is yet to run electric locomotives on several lines.
This is due to the shortage of MEMU rakes as well as delay in completion of traction substations (TSS), which is crucial for running electric locomotives.
Many trains running on several electrified routes in Karnataka are not hauled by electric locos but diesel ones.
For instance, shortage of rakes has delayed Memu train services to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). The environment-friendly Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (Memu) trains are expected to reduce travel time by 5-10%.
In March 2022, electrification of Yelahanka-Devanahalli-Chikkaballapur section of the route was commissioned. KSR Bengaluru City-Yelahanka was electrified earlier. However, SWR is yet to run Memu trains on this route.
