Indian Railway Makes History

Lately, the Indian Railways' locomotive production unit in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, has amazed everyone around the globe. For the first time in the world history, a locomotive production unit has converted a diesel locomotive into an electric one. They did so by putting to use Indian technology. The work on the project was finished in just two months. The great achievement unfolded due to hardwork and efforts made by experts and engineers from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation, Chitaranjan Locomotive Works, Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) and Bharat Heavy Electricals, under the guidance of LW General Manager Rashmi Goel. The team considered only those locomotives eligible for conversion which are due for mid-life rehabilitation. The entire process of conversion was extremely money- saving. They used parts from decommissioned electric locomotives retaining chassis, bogies and traction motors used in the diesel locomotive. The re-engineered locomotive is presently undergoing safety tests. Also, efforts are being made for incorporation of improvements in its design. This development shall prove highly useful in the near future. It is so because in the next five years the diesel engines shall be completely discarded. Railway Minister PiyushGoyal stated that only electric locomotives shall be put to use in the near future.

By: Anuja Arora

Source:https://swarajyamag.com/amp/story/insta%2Findian-railways-makes-history-converts-diesel-loco-into-electric-using-indigenous-tech-in-two-months