Western Railway(WR) has completed electrification of the 191-route km Ratlam -Chittaurgarh section. This was inaugurated by Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal last Sunday.
The project was sanctioned in the year 2016 – 17 at an estimated cost of Rs. 205 crores. The Traction sub – stations and maintenance depots are at Jaora, Sindpan, Nimach and Chittaurgarh. There are 9 private sidings situated on this route which contribute significantly to WR’s freight traffic.
Post electrification of these sections, 16 pairs of mail/express trains will now be hauled by electric locos saving WR saving Rs 27.54 crore per annum.
The electrification of Q-track (spiral) at Ratlam and Nimbahera – Shambhupura doubling section in Ratlam Division of WR was successfully completed in January 2021.
Benefits
The electrification of the Indore – Ratlam – Chittaurgarh section will eliminate the need for traction change over at Ratlam.
Hence, detention of locos, shunting operations and wagons at Ratlam yard would reduce resulting in yard de-congestion.
With WR having completed the gauge conversion and electrification of Fatehabad – Ujjain section on February 11, 2021, another direct connection will open up between Ratlam to Ujjain and Indore via Fatehabad on electric traction and up to Udaipur, Ajmer, Jaipur and beyond from Ratlam.
