Lalu calls for adoption of energy-efficient systems in Railways

New Delhi, Jan 22 (UNI) Sending out a clear message that Railways would have to adopt energy-efficient measures to prune its working expenditure and shed the image of electricity-guzzler, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today said this had become imperative to meet the demands of passenger and freight traffic in a competitive atmosphere.

''Railways consumes about Rs. 5,500 crore worth of electricity every year, which amounts to 12 per cent of its ordinary working expenses. It is vital to adopt energy-efficient systems to increase the throughput of the Indian Railways if it has to become the number One railway system in the world,'' Mr Prasad said in a statement, which was read out at a two-day seminar on 'Energy Efficient Electrical System in Rail Sector -- a Vehicle for Turnaround', which began here today.

Pointing out that the Railways had enough funds for undertaking projects, he said strong and efficient steps would have to be taken to economise its working expenditure. In this context, he said that, apart from meeting the demands of passenger and freight traffic, energy efficient systems would also help in construction of dedicated freight corridors and its feeder routes.

''The energy efficient systems should be used as part of an Integrated Railway Infrastructural Development Programme,'' Mr Prasad said.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr. S.P. Sethi, Principal Advisor (Energy), Planning Commission, who was the chief guest, said India currently consumes 3.7 per cent of world supply of commercial energy.

''A host of problems, like illiteracy, poor health and inadequate shelter, cannot be addressed without significantly raising per capita consumption of energy in the country,'' he said.

Mr Sethi said India's energy must grow at a compound annual growth rate of between 4.5 and 5.3 per cent to maintain a sustainable level for the next 25 years. India's per capita energy consumption in 2031-32 will still be 15 per cent of energy consumption by the US today.

Besides Mr. Sethi, Railway Board members Ramesh Chandra (Electrical) and Mr S.B. Ghosh Dastidar, (Traffic), Institution of Railway Electrical Engineers (IREE) President U.C.D Shreni and OSD to the Railway Minister, Mr Sudhir Kumar, were present on the occasion.

Mr Kumar made a power-point presentation on the turnaround achieved by the Railways.

Mr Chandra, in his address, said the Railways consume 13046 million units of electric energy amounting to Rs. 5500 crore every year on electricity bill alone for both traction and non-traction purposes.

''The Railways, therefore, are the single largest purchaser of electricity in the country,'' he said.

Mr Chandra said electric traction constitutes 27 per cent of the railway traction and more than 65 per cent of loading and 50 per cent of passenger traffic are carried on electric traction.

''The consumption of electric energy by the Indian Railways constitutes about 12 per cent of ordinary working expenses. The improvement in energy efficiency will therefore add to profitability and generate additional internal resources,'' he added.

UNI