Electrification of 130-km rail section complete in Punjab, Haryana.

The Northern Railway has completed the electrification work of 130-km section in Punjab and Haryana, which will ensure that no more diesel locomotives are used in the stretch. The electrified lines include 62-km-long Dhuri (Punjab)-Jakhal (Haryana) line and the 68-km Dhuri-Lehra Muhabbat single line in Ambala division. A speed trial for up to 120 kmph was also done in these sections.

The Dhuri-Jakhal section in the significant Ludhiana-Dhuri-Jakhal line is a railway line connecting Ludhiana in Punjab and Jakhal in Haryana. The Dhuri-Lehra Muhabbat section falls in the Rajpura-Bhatinda line and will be significant as it will improve mobility. "While we have electrified major routes on northern railways, there are patches where our trains get delayed because the electric locomotive has to be changed to diesel on them. With the electrification of these sections, it will be a seamless travel, there will be no delays and above all, it will save energy. This is a significant move of the railways towards 100% electrification," an official said.

Inspections of the sections were carried out by chief commissioner of railway safety Shailesh Kumar Pathak. Pathak. He conducted detailed safety inspections of the sections using motor trolley. Later, current collection tests and speed trials by electric locomotive were also done. The speed trial between Jakhal-Dhuri and Lehra Muhabbat-Dhuri sections with up to 120 km per hour was recorded successfully, the statement said.

The tests were done using Oliver-G technology which is a type of ‘over-head line' inspection with video recording and GPS marking system for current collection.

It is a highly reliable technology for ensuring spark-free current collection. Several other structures like ROBs, RUBs, level crossings and FOBs on the line were also checked during the inspection. The CCRS also inspected the railway stations and their amenities located on the sections.

TOI