Railways bets on alternative fuel

Mukesh Ranjan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 18

Keeping in view the environmental concerns flagged by different agencies, including courts, the Railways has chipped in to reduce its carbon imprint in the NCR by running small-distance local trains (DEMUs) on CNG. The six trains currently running on CNG have been introduced in Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh (UP).

As the first one pair of DPCs (driving power car) and six TCs (trailing coach) with CNG has been operational on the Rewari-Rohtak section in Haryana since January last year, two more pairs of Diesel Electrical Multiple Unit (DEMU) trains running on CNG have been recently introduced in the NCR region of Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, a senior official in the Railways said. The introduction of CNG trains is aimed at reducing greenhouse emissions and lowering the diesel bill.

The Railways has modified the 1,400 HP engine to run on dual fuel—diesel and CNG—through fumigation technology, the official said. The passenger train would consume over 20 per cent of CNG, he added. “Gradually, the CNG usage will be increased to 50 per cent. At present, trials are being conducted for increased usage of CNG,” he added.

The aim is not only to reduce carbon footprint, but also build capacity to use cheaper alternative fuels. The Railways has sanctioned several projects to develop various technologies, including advanced fuel injection system, advanced air intake system, natural gas-based systems and to promote use of biodiesel as blended fuel.

It has also embarked on another plan to power passenger coaches with solar energy. The trial run of such coaches will be conducted in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, later this month, though the route is yet to be finalised. The train will reportedly be pulled by conventional diesel engine, but fans, air-conditioners and lamps will get power from solar panels fitted atop coaches.

The Railways estimates savings of up to Rs 82 lakh per train per year by making use of alternative sources of energy. With over 50,000 coaches in service, the savings in fuel bill may exceed Rs 2,050 crore per year.