HP to Load Ratio of 1.5 - Most beneficial & Cost effective. This, of course, pertains to sections near saturation. On Passenger dominant sections, HP to Load Ratio >2 for Diesel also. Further overpowering not recommended. - Benefit insignificant.
On Single Line sections, gain under Electric traction is low. (Tract & Other reasons limit the speed improvement). HP to train load ratio is not a traction specific issue.
Positive impact of Electric traction on Freight dominant double line sections where HP to trailing Load ratio is low. - 12 - 16% higher line capacity
This recommendation of course is not traction specific but only HP specific.
Environment Issues
Contrary to popular perception, Electric traction is more polluting than Diesel traction.
Power for Electric Loco comes from
either Diesel based Power station with same level of pollution as Diesel loco
Or from Coal based Thermal station whose “Green House” gases emission is 26% more than Diesel loco (UNDP Study)
Electric Loco- Environment friendly - Is that really so ??
One Electric Loco of 5000 HP requires 4.2 MW of Power.
One MW of Power requires 10 Tonnes of Coal per day
And at 40% Ash content, generates 4 Tonnes of Coal Ash per day.
Source: Central Electricity Authority Annual Report 1998-99
= 16 Tonnes of coal Ash per day
Break Up Price of HSD
Price of HSD Oil
Basic Price * Rs.14.54 per Litre
(including Excise)
Inclusive of Sales Tax & Freight the price ranges between Rs.15.12 to Rs.17.69
Average Issue Price Rs.16.25 per Litre
* Authority : Board’s rate contract dt.12.1.2001
Is Electricity overpriced ?
Railway Traction needs immune power, with no cuts, warranting duplication of Transmission and Distribution systems, which obviously comes at a Premium.
Unlike HSD, Electricity is subsidised by waiving off Sales Tax and Excise, though it is an Economic Good manufactured and sold.
