Karnataka’s 1st electric loco shed to be ready in 2020

BENGALURU: With the railways planning to electrify its entire broad-gauge network by 2022, the first

electric loco

shed in Karnataka and South Western Railway (SWR) is likely to be commissioned by next year.

“Work on the conversion of diesel loco shed at Krishnarajapuram (KR Puram) to an electric loco shed is expected to be completed by August 2020,” said SWR chief public relation officer E Vijaya. The railway board on Friday decided to transfer five electric locomotives from Royapuram shed to KR Puram.

While the full-fledged facility is likely to come up by August 2020, maintenance of these five electric locomotives will be done with skeletal facilities.

“There are only two diesel loco sheds in SWR, which is in Bengaluru and Hubballi. Once the electrical locos come, the KR Puram shed will be the first to maintain electric locos in Karnataka,” Vijaya added.

Currently, 206 diesel locomotives already being maintained at the KR Puram shed, which is spread across 25 acres. It was set up in 1983 for major and minor maintenance schedules of diesel locomotives.

The electrification project includes a 50x10m repair bay, 40mx11m light repair bay and provision of spare spur line of two loco length to park the locomotives and overhead traction.

Stating the SWR mostly had only non-electrified lines, Vijaya said electric loco maintenance was not being done by the zone. “Locomotives from other zones such as South Central Railway and Southern Railway were operating in SWR. The railway board regularly reviews requirements of maintenance facilities for all class of locomotives and facilities at required locations as per requirements,” she said.

Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.