SCR completes record electrification of 1,017 route km in 2022-23

HYDERABAD: The South Central Railways (SCR) achieved its best-ever performance in network electrification during 2022-23, completing 1,017 route kilometres (RKM) of Railway electrification works in FY 2022-23, an all-time record in the Zone's history.

During 2022-23, this was also the second highest RKM of electrification achieved by any zone across Indian Railways, which has prioritised electrification of its network.

The overall electrification distance of 1,017 kilometres is divided as follows: 286.4 kilometres are under Telangana, 133.7 kilometres are under Andhra Pradesh, 546 kilometres are under Maharashtra, and 50.8 kilometres are in Karnataka.

The electrification of such long railway lines has also resulted in the availability of continuous electrified rail connectivity between Secunderabad/Hyderabad and Bengaluru as well as Chennai. The operation of the first electrified train in sections such as Bhadrachalam-Sattupalli in Telangana, Dharmavaram-Pakala in Andhra Pradesh, and Aurangabad to Dinagaon in Maharashtra also provided electric train connectivity.

The electrification of railway lines contributes to the smooth running of trains by minimising traction power changes and lowering of en-route detention of both passenger and goods trains. It improves the average speed of the trains, allowing additional trains to be introduced in these sections due to increased sectional capacity. It also provides an environmentally favourable method of powering trains with zero carbon emissions while saving fuel expenditure.

South Central Railway, General Manager Arun Kumar Jain commended zone staff and officials for their great teamwork and dedication in carrying out the electrification operations. He said, "The speed with which the electrification works have been completed has not only contributed to record electrification but has also gained national praise. The vast majority of the SCR network is already electrified, and that the Zone is rapidly approaching its goal of electrifying all of its existing wide gauge lines within its control."

The state-wise details of electrification

• The 286.4 RKM of Telangana consists of Bhavanapalem-Sattupalli; Manoharabad- Nizamabad; Mahabubnagar-Alampur Road; Kosai-Ambari; Jankampet-Basar.
• The 133.7 RKM of Andhra Pradesh consists of Dharmavaram-Kadiri; Aravalli-Nidadavolu; New Piduguralla-Savalyapuram; Alampur-Kurnool City; Gooty-Bypass cabin.
• The 546 RKM of Maharashtra consists of Washi-Purna; Kamalnagar-Parli; Ambari- Mudkhed; Rotegaon-Dinegaon; Parli -Parbhani.
• The 50.8 RKM of Karnataka between Khanapur-Kamalnagar.