Rail Electrification gets super boost.
A critical section Dighawara-Bandikui of railway route between Ajmer to Delhi has been electrified. A key step towards making NCR region free from Railways diesel engines. This will contribute to make cleaner and greener environment in the National Capital Region. Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Railways, Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, inaugurated newly electrified Dhigawara-Bandikui section of North Western Railway and flagged off first train on this newly electrified route. Indian Railways has set a target to complete Electrification of its Broad gauge network by December 2023. More than 66% of Broad gauge route has already electrified. With 18065 km of electrification, Railways record an astonishing 371 % increase in electrification during 2014-20 period as compared to 2009-2014. Target to complete 28143 km of Railway Track electrification by December 2023. 41500 km already electrified. More than 66% tracks in Railways already electrified.
Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Railways, Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, inaugurated newly electrified Dhigawara-Bandikui section of North Western Railway and flagged off first train on this newly electrified route at the function organized at Dhigawara station. Public representatives and senior railway officials were present on this occasion.
Speaking on this occasion, Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Railways, Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India said in his address that today is a very special day that we mark this day before the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. He said that under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Indian Railways is moving forward in a phased manner with fast pace and quality and is making great achievements with everyone’s cooperation, teamwork and motivation.
While emphasizing railway works, Shri Goyal said that the electrification work was done on the Kota-Mumbai line in Rajasthan 35 years ago, after that no one paid attention to this area. While working on this in the railways, a target has been set to electrify the entire percentage of railway lines across India. Talking about Rajasthan, he said that till 2009-14, there was 0 km of electrification work in this area which was 1433 km in the last five and a half years (till September 2020) i.e. 240 km route was electrified every year. He said that there has been a change in thinking over the years and there has been a change in the way we work. Today, after the electrification of this line, the route from Rewari to Ajmer has been electrified and now the electrified trains from Delhi to Ajmer will start soon. After running of these trains, the diesel trains will be stopped, which will eliminate pollution as well as the dependence on the fuel imported from outside and trains will be operated from the electricity produced in self-reliant India, this will also save significant revenue. Apart from this, the average speed of trains will increase and there will be development of industries, agro-based businesses and progress of villagers and farmers. To avoid any inconvenience to the farmers, Kisan Rail are being operated by the railways to transport their agricultural products. The government is committed for the progress of farmers.
Shri Goyal also appealed everyone to follow Covid Protocol, wearing masks, maintain social distancing and take care of hygiene.
The electrification work is being done by the Central Organization for Railway Electrification (CORE), Prayagraj. The work of electrification of Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Madar (Ajmer) section was sanctioned by CORE and handed over to Rail Electrification project, Jaipur. A total of 23418 foundations, 26 switching stations, 6 traction sub stations and 7 OHE depots have been set up for electrification on Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Madar (Ajmer).