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Mamata's energy-efficiency promise on track in Mumbai
(Courtesy :Business Line 23/02/2010)
In July last year, the Union Railway Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, promised energy-efficient rail-based systems in suburban railways.And Mumbai's suburban railway system seems to be on track with this project,
Savings
The railway component of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) being implemented by Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) is expected to make energy savings worth Rs 40 crore a year, as it completes the procurement of 82 trains in the next couple of months, said Dr P.C. Sehgal, Managing Director, MRVC.
These efficiencies have been achieved through dual voltage traction technology which has improved energy efficiency and reliability, 30 per cent higher horse-power, three-phase AC traction motors with variable voltage variable frequency control, higher acceleration and deceleration of 0.54 metres a second and 0.76 metres a second respectively and maximum speed of 100 kmph of electric multiple units (the suburban services are run by EMUs), he explained. Thirty per cent energy saving due to lower noise level, air springs in secondary suspension for better riding quality and several others, have also contributed to this saving, he added.
As part of the work completed under phase I of MUTP, 79 new rakes have already been received by MRVC. Track centering work on the Virar-Dahanu section on the western suburbs has been completed. Borivili to Virar DC to AC conversion has been completed. And work on the Kurla-Thane section will be completed by the year-end, said Dr Sehgal.
Project cost
Currently, MUTP's Phase I and II are under implementation. While the cost of the phase I is Rs 4,100 crore, Rs 3,700 crore has been spent, said Mr Sehgal. The cost of Phase II is Rs 5,300 crore.
For phase I, the Indian Railways and the Maharashtra Government have taken a joint loan of Rs 1,613 crore from the World Bank and have to put in Rs 1,280 crore each from their side.
For Phase II, the World Bank's loan component is Rs 1,910 crore, Indian Railways and the State Government have had to pitch in Rs 1,545 crore each, and Rs 300 crore is expected to come in from commercial development of railway land and airspace.
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A Letter to Minister for Forest, Kerala Govt.
Dear Sir
We are inviting your attention to clause no: 80 in page 19 of the Railway Budget speech delivered in Parliament by Honourable Minister Smt. Mamata Banerjee on 24 February 2010. The same is reproduced below for your kind perusal.
"80. Railway propose to set up Rail Eco-parks to conserve, protect and promote Railway's wet lands and forest areas. Ten are planned for the year including Naopara, which was recently Inaugurated."
In this context, we remember that Kerala Forest department was earlier trying to protect the Old Railway station premises, behind High Court in Ernakulam by including it in the "Mangalavanam" project. Now, this is a golden opportunity for us to get a commitment from railways.
We are sure that you will do the needful in convincing the railways about the importance of "Mangalavanam" project and also requesting them to declare the old railway station premises also as a protected area (which will eventually be a part of the Mangalavanam, eventhough owned by railways).
You may also think of any such other sites in Keralam.
We feel that a combined effort by Government of Kerala, Ministry of Environment & Forests & Ministry of Railways from Government of India will make this possible in this year itself.
Thanking you for your valuable time,
With warm regards
P. Krishnakumar, General Secretary, Thrissur Railway Passengers' Association, Thrissur
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