Diesel locomotives to be converted into Electric locomotives from March 2019
New Delhi, February 4: Informing that the Railway Board has decided that no diesel locomotives will be allowed in the Delhi area after March 2019, Minister of Railways and Coal Piyush Goyal applauded the initiative of Railways Electrical Engineering Department of converting Diesel Locomotives into Electric Locomotives, on the occasion of celebrating the 7th Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers’ Day in New Delhi.
While addressing the gathering Goyal notified that Electrical Department has a challenging goal to achieve 100% Electrification. He also acknowledged that making 279 Electric Locomotives till 31st January 2018 counts amongst the important achievements by Indian Railways. Adoption of modern technology and innovative ideas can help Indian railways transform the future.
Goyal further emphasized the need for transformation and change in the work culture of the Railways. The Member Traction, Railway Board, has decided that by March, 2019, no diesel loco hauled train would be permitted in Delhi area and the Railways will be completely LED lit in the next eight months. The Railway Ministry has set a target of 2022 to switch to electric locomotives completely by phasing out their diesel counterparts with a focus on increasing speed.
The Institution of Railway Electrical Engineers celebrates 3rd February annually to commemorate the introduction of 1st Electric Train in 1925 on same day. IREE is a technical body of Railway Electrical Engineers under the auspices of Ministry of Railways. The aim of the Institution is to disseminate and share the technical knowledge among the fraternity and industry regarding the available and new technology related to design, construction and maintenance of electrical assets.
