The good news for the passengers is that these MEMUs are faster and can allow CR to run more trips on some routes where patronage is high
Central Railway has told the railway ministry that it will require 15 Mainline Electrical Multiple Units (MEMUs) to replace 11 trains that are hauled by diesel locomotives on several passenger routes. MEMUs are like Mumbai's local trains but with one major difference that they are narrower. The good news for the passengers is that these MEMUs are faster and can allow CR to run more trips on some routes where patronage is high.
CR will also be setting up a carshed for the maintenance and overhaul of these MEMUs at Ajni near Nagpur. At the moment, CR does not have any MEMU carshed. which was one of the reasons the recently-commissioned Pune-Daund electrified line got a diesel-powered Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU).
Explaining the difference an official said, "DEMUs have diesel power cars (DPCs) which have smaller engines in comparison to a diesel locomotive and consume less fuel. Replacing short distance passenger trains (having 5-10 coaches) with DEMUs will give fuel saving of approximate 10%. However, studies have also shown that running trains on electric traction is cheaper by about 47% for freight traffic and 50% cheaper for coaching traffic, as compared to diesel traction. Therefore, it is better to have MEMUs on an electrified line than DEMUs."
According to CR officials, these plans to have MEMUs and DEMUs are part of the railways Mission Raftaar which seeks to increase the average speed of trains in the country.
Indian Railways is among the slowest in the world when it comes to major railway networks. While the maximum speed of passenger trains has increased up to 130 kmph-160 kmph, the average speed is hovering around 45 kmph. While the maximum speed of freight trains has increased up to 75 kmph-100 kmph, but the average speed is hovering around 24 kmph.
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