Title - Mission 41k revealed by Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu

During the Roundtable Discussion with External Stakeholders on Energy Initiatives of Indian Railways rail Minister Suresh Prabhu unveiled “Mission 41K.”

Under this mission, Indian railways has come up with a target of saving Rs. 41,000 crore energy costs in upcoming 10 years by use of new technologies.

All electrification works done in the last decade would be doubled and this would change the energy mix of Indian Railways. Apart from this railways has set another target of 1000MW of solar power and 200MW of Wind Energy.

Prabhu also highlighted the fact during a round table discussion planned on Data Analytics that Indian Railways generates massive amounts of data and has a huge captive audience. Ability to optimally utilise these will generate additional revenue for the Indian Railways.

At present 70% traffic runs on electric traction. In next 6 -7 years target has been set to run 90% of the traffic on electric traction. By procuring electricity through open access, the cost of electricity procurement comes down drastically which contributes 25% of the working expenses.

Apart from energy consumption, railways already launched the target of bettering the average speed of movement by 5kmph every year. Another important Mission for Indian Railways is the establishment of High hp Locomotive manufacturing plants at Madhepura and Marhaura.