Train passengers, take note: 100% electrified ER faces safety focus as Railway Board checks electrical failures and OHE wire snaps

Passenger safety, fire prevention and the reliability of electrical installations were in focus as Ramendra Kumar Tewari, additional member (railway electrification), Railway Board, inspected several locations under Eastern Railway (ER).

ER is among 15 of the 19 zonal railways that are yet to achieve 100% electrification. During the inspection, Tewari stressed the need for regular maintenance of electrical installations, including substations and depots, to prevent fires, equipment failures and service disruptions.

Railway Board official inspects Howrah-Memari section

Accompanied by Dhaneswar Mohanta, principal chief electrical engineer, ER, Tewari inspected the Howrah-Memari section in an inspection car. He also visited Bandel station, the Traction Distribution (TRD) Depot and the Bandel substation.


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The inspection focused on fire safety, passenger safety, passenger amenities, protective coordination at the Bandel substation and the overall reliability of electrical installations.

Tewari also interacted with field staff and reviewed maintenance practices, recent equipment failures and corrective measures taken to prevent similar incidents from recurring.

Focus on electrical maintenance and OHE safety

The Railway Board official stressed strict adherence to prescribed maintenance procedures and greater vigilance at the field level to ensure the safe and reliable operation of electrical installations.

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He also highlighted the importance of strengthening Model Overhead Equipment (OHE) Depots as centres for improving the technical knowledge, practical skills and competency of railway staff.

“Focused training and skill development of field staff should be undertaken to enhance the reliability and safety of OHE installations,” an official said.

Eastern Railway upgrades trains from EOG to HOG

Eastern Railway's electrical department has also undertaken several measures to improve reliability and reduce carbon emissions. One of the key initiatives has been the conversion of train rakes from End On Generation (EOG) to Head On Generation (HOG).

Under the HOG system, electricity is drawn directly from the overhead equipment through the locomotive to power lights, fans and air-conditioning systems inside Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches. This eliminates the need for separate generator cars attached to fully air-conditioned trains such as Rajdhanis and Shatabdis.

The move has helped reduce diesel consumption and noise generated by generator cars. It has also created additional space for passenger coaches, increasing the number of berths available on such trains.

OHE wires replaced to prevent failures

The Traffic Distribution wing has also stepped up efforts to replace ageing contact and catenary wires to reduce the risk of OHE snaps.

Hundreds of metres of wires have been replaced as part of the maintenance drive, aimed at improving the reliability of the overhead electrical network and reducing the risk of accidents and service disruptions.