KOZHIKODE: Trains chugging from the South and from Palakkad-side take a pause at Shornur junction as there are no electrified lines to proceed towards Malabar. Hence the electric loco needs to be changed to a diesel loco at Shornur costing time and fuel. But now, Malabar is on the verge of saying goodbye to diesel locos as the entire line from Shornur to Mangaluru is almost electrified.
The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) inspected the Cheruvathur-Mangaluru electrified stretch on Saturday and is expected to give the authorization soon. The running of goods train on the route followed by that of passenger trains will make Malabar’s electrified line dream come true. “As of now, a few trains are running on electrified routes between Shornur and Kannur. Goods train run up to Payyannur. Before running passenger trains up to Mangaluru, many things have to be put in place including the availability of sufficient locos,” said Deputy Chief Engineer (Electrification) V. K Manoharan.
Preparations are in full swing and loco pilots in Palakkad, Mangalore and Kozhikode were given training to handle electric locos. Currently, a passenger train takes a minimum of 20 minutes for a loco change at Shornur. When switched to electric loco, this time could be saved besides saving money in terms of fuel expense and, in addition, a big push for the environment. “For loco pilots also, the electric loco is a major relief. A diesel engine means living amidst an ever-fuming volcano,” said a loco pilot. Cheruvathur traction substation was commissioned on Saturday and now the pending substation is Uppala . “Work at Uppala will commence within a week. The materials and manpower have reached there,” Mr Manoharan added. Along with the work, the railways is also exploring ways to operate more trains on the electrified route, primarily on the Shornur-Kannur stretch.
