‘Mission 41K’ has been unveiled by the Union Railway Ministry to save Rs. 41,000 crore in the next 10 years on the expenditure of Indian Railways on energy consumption.
The launch of ‘Mission 41K’ programme was announced on January 17, 2017 at a Roundtable Discussion with external stakeholders on Indian Railway’s Energy Initiatives, headed by Suresh Prabhu, Union Railway Minister.
The roundtable discussion was attended by Railway Board’s members and senior officials and representatives from various private and government agencies, including Adani Power, Indian Oil Corporation, Reliance Power, TERI, Suzlon Energy Ltd, and CII. PTI JC KUN.
Mission 41K: Important Facts
1. ‘Mission 41K will achieve its target to save Rs. 41,000 crore through various measures, including moving 90 percent of traffic to electric traction over diesel from existing 50 percent of the total rail traffic.
2. The Mission 41K target will be attained by doubling the present pace of electrification.
3. The railways has plans to procure greater amount of electricity at cheaper rates through open market as an alternative to sourcing it through electricity distribution companies of India (DISCOMs). Thus the railways hopes to save at least 25% on its total energy expenses.
4. New technologies will be used for bringing down electric consumption of railways and to change the energy mix of Railways in India.
5. The mission will also help Indian Railways in reducing its dependence on change energy mix, imported fuel, and in rationalizing the cost of energy.
6. In the 2016-17 Budget, Railways has planned a target of generating 200 Megawatt of wind energy and 1000 Megawatt of solar power.
7. During 2014-2015, Indian Railways consumed more than 18.25 billion units of electrical energy for its non-traction and traction application for which it also paid Rs 12,635 crore. It also spent Rs. 18,586 crore for diesel traction.
