Palanpur: Railways has started implementing the Delhi-Sarai Rohilla-Revadi-Palanpur-Ahmedabad rail route electrification. The works for the project kicked off near Abu Road early this week with erection of pole near railway track. Rs 227.34 crore project is likely to complete in two years. It is high rise type project in which pole height will be 11.40 meter instead of 8 meter. While 126 km work will be carried out in Rajasthan border, 40 km work will take place in Gujarat area. The works will be completed in two phases. First phase will be between Rani and Sarupganj while second phase will be between Sarupganj and Palanpur. First phase works are to be carried out by a company from Spain while second phase works will be carried out by Bright Power Project India Pvt Ltd. Traction sub-stations will be installed at Falna, Sirohi and Amirgadh.

The railway track at present carries traffic of diesel engines that operate at 110 km/hour speed. After electrification, trains will be able to run at 140-160 km/ hour speed. This will make Jaipur-Ahmedabad distance shorter by two hours. More trains will be able to operate on this route. Trains will be able to stop at stations for more time. Rani-Palanpur stretch is witnessing works at present under this project. When entire route between Delhi and Ahmedabad will have electrification, it will have major impact on Delhi-Mumbai rail traffic, as Ahmedabad-Mumbai line has already electrification. At present trains come to Ahmedabad and diesel engine has to be changed for electric one for further journey to south. It takes half an hour to hour time.

DeshGujarat