How Railways plans to convert diesel locos into electric at a lower cost

The total shift to electric traction will reduce fossil fuel consumption of about 2.83 billion litres per annum

With the Union Cabinet clearing 100 per cent electrification of all the broad-gauge (BG) routes of the Indian Railways by 2021-22, the national transporter is working on a master plan to convert its entire fleet of about 5,500 diesel locomotives into electric ones at less than half the cost of refurbishment of diesel engines.

"The Railways has now developed an indigenous technology to convert our diesel locomotives to electric ones during the time of refurbishment at a cost of Rs 20 million. This is compared to the existing cost of Rs 50 million for the refurbishment of diesel engines," said