First Train of Humsafar Express Goes Green

摘要

The Humsafar Express (Train No. 22437/22438), which connects the Sangam City of Allahabad to the National Capital has gone green with the adoption of the cutting edge 'Head On Generation' (HOG) technology. The premium train will now be taking electricity directly from the grid via the Over Head Equipment (OHE), instead of burning expensive Diesel fuel to generate the same. The most common mode of generation of electricity for the coaches of premium trains is called End On Generation (EOG) in which power supply for lighting & air conditioning in coaches is fed through DG sets provided in power cars attached at both ends of the trains. Earlier, this train (Humsafar Express) was also being operated on End On Generation (EOG) system. However, from the 28th of July this year, the train has started working on Head On Generation (HOG) technology. It is important to note that the cost of electricity in the conventional EOG system-using Diesel Generator sets-works out at a whopping ￡ 22.00 per unit. However, in HOG system, supply is directly taken through OHE via 3-phase electric locomotive where the rate of electricity per unit is ￡7.00 only. Thus, employing the HOG technology directly results in a saving of Rs. 16 per unit, which, for a single train like Humsafar Express translates into an annual saving of ￡2.15 Crore/annum. Besides saving taxpayers' money, the use of HOG technology in just one train like the Humsafar Express results in a massive reduction of carbon footprint by virtue of reduction of Carbon Dioxide emission of the order of 1174 ton per annum.