RailEnquiry

NAGPUR: Energy conservation is the new mantra at Nagpur Central Railway! The division has set an example for their counterparts in other divisions by taking up 'Urja Saurakshan' project under which it saved power consumption and saved Rs 5 crore.The Nagpur Central Railway is observing 2013 as 'Energy Conservation Year'. On May 31, it launched the mega project to save energy, especially from freight trains which consumes most of the power. Over 170 freight trains operate in the division including zonal interchange.From June-August, the Central Railway could save around Rs 5 crore by bringing down power consumption by 68 lakh units. The Central Railway pays around Rs 400 crore to Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company and Madhya Pradesh Electricity Board towards energy bills."We are going hammer and tongs to save energy and have drawn an action plan to save maximum energy to save environment besides money," says divisional railway manager (DRM) Brijesh Dixit, who initiated the process."The consumption was around 13.10 crore units during the same period last year. We brought it down to 12.42 crore units, saving 68 lakh units. At the rate of Rs 7.50 per unit, we could save over Rs 5 crore. Annually, we expect to save over Rs 20 crore, which matters most in the hour of crisis," said Namdeo Rabade, senior divisional electrical engineer (SrDEE) for traction operation (TRO).

In June 2013, the division recorded 7.68 gross tonnes per kilometre (GTKM) with an overall consumption of 4.33 crore units. With GTKM of 8.34, it was 4.37 crore units during the same month last year.

GTKM is the yardstick to measure power consumption of freight trains. Around 1,000 tonnes per km power consumption of a freight train comes to 8 units. A normal freight train can carry over 5,000 tonnes of load.

In July this year, energy consumption was 6.64 GTKM as compared to 8.04 GTKM last year. "However, in August, energy consumption slightly went up due to closure of one of the tracks due to washing away of a bridge near Barbatpur," said Rabade.

With Dixit's support, Sr DEE (TRO) Rabade took lead in energy conservation by drawing simple ways. The conservation model has been working so well that other railway divisions have been visiting Central Railway to study it.

"As part of the drive, lot of counselling is being done via divisional level workshops and seminars. Guidelines for drivers have been issue. Locos of goods train suffering detention for over more than half-hour are shut down," said Rabade.

As per the plans, loco pilots are being given star ratings besides incentives for saving energy. Controllers are also being guided to effectively handle the trains. "Things have been possible due to better coordination between controllers, yard masters and drivers," says SrDOM. Satyendra Kumar.