Indian Railways Upgrade: Extra 4 Lakh Seats Per Day, Noise-Free Trains

Starting this December, there will be no rumbling sound of railways as trains to go ‘silent’, thanks to this new technology. Indian Railways is planning to use the new Head on Generation (HoG) technology where the power will be drawn from the overhead electric supply, instead of the noisy power cars.

Highlights:

Indian Railways plans to convert all LHB trains to HoG system by the end of this year
Indian Railways has saved ₹800 crores every year by implementing new HOG technology

At present, there are two power generator cars which emit fumes and make noise when the trains run. Indian Railway plans to replace the power generator cars with one silent generator car and an LSLRD (LHB Second Luggage, Guard & Divyaang Compartment). LSLRD will convert power from the overhead supply using HoG technology. LSLRD will also have a specially-designed cabin with additional seats for passengers and extra space for luggage. The ‘silent’ car will be used for an emergency. With the use of this new technology, the seats in trains will be increased. indian railways

Indian Railways plans to convert all LHB trains to HoG system by the end of this year, said Rajesh Agarwal, Member (Rolling Stock), Railway Board. Currently, the power cars generate a 105-decibel noise, which will reduce to nil by year-end, Agarwal

Head on Generation technology taps power supply overhead power lines and distributes it to train coaches. The railways are in the process of converting its Linke Hofmann Bosche coaches into the HoG system. A total of 342 trains have already been converted into HoG so far. Indian Railways has saved ₹800 crores every year by implementing new HOG technology, according to the official. Currently, the cost of power is over ₹36 per unit. With the implementation of the new HoG technology, the power will cost ₹6 per unit.

More than four lakh additional berths will be available to passengers every day when the railways will move to an HoG technology. Officials say by October 2019, over 5,000 coaches of the Indian Railways will operate on the new technology.

All the new LHB coaches that are being made at the production units are being made HOG compliant. 284 more trains are to be converted into HOG by the year-end to be resulting in more savings, said Agarwal.

The conversion work has been allotted to zonal railways and field officers. Once the conversion is complete, Indian Railways will save around ₹1390 crore.