A lot of emphasis is given to Railway Electrification in recent years with a view to reduce the Nation’s dependence on imported petroleum based energy and to enhance the country’s energy security, with a vision of providing eco-friendly, faster and energy efficient mode of transportation.

As per the analysis approximately 5.5 lakh man years will be generated during execution period of Mission Electrification. It has been established that electric trains have several advantages over diesel-powered ones. These advantages include –

· Reduced dependence on imported petroleum based fuels.

· It provides energy efficient friendly mode of transports besides improving the system throughput.

· Faster and environment friendly.

· Reduced line hauls cost.

· Increased sectional capacity by about 18% due to higher average speeds.

· Reduced capital, operating and maintenance costs.

· Offers regenerative braking resulting in saving of energy by around 20% in locomotives and around 30% in electric multiple units.

In RE, Semaphore Signals are required to be replaced by MACLS and mechanical interlocking by Panel Interlocking (PI) and Electronic Interlocking (EI) to make the system immune to Railway Electrification. In many places where MACLS signaling is already existing, the modification are carried out to ward off the unsafe effect of traction return current and induction from 25 kv traction system. The modification such as replacement of existing Line relays, Track relays, Block Instruments etc by AC immunized relays and Block instrument suitable to work in RE area, provision of single rail track circuits etc. are undertaken. In regards to communication system, additional circuits of Traction Power Control (TPC), Supervisory Control and Data acquisition System (SCADA) are provided at each station, SP, SSP and TSS location. The overhead communication is replaced by 6 Quad cables.

In RE, Semaphore Signals are required to be replaced by MACLS and mechanical interlocking by Panel Interlocking (PI) and Electronic Interlocking (EI) to make the system immune to Railway Electrification. In many places where MACLS signaling is already existing, the modification are carried out to ward off the unsafe effect of traction return current and induction from 25 kv traction system. The modification such as replacement of existing Line relays, Track relays, Block Instruments etc by AC immunized relays and Block instrument suitable to work in RE area, provision of single rail track circuits etc. are undertaken. In regards to communication system, additional circuits of Traction Power Control (TPC), Supervisory Control and Data acquisition System (SCADA) are provided at each station, SP, SSP and TSS location. The overhead communication is replaced by 6 Quad cables.