An electrifying success in Karnataka

SMEC’s teams in India are celebrating the successful AC (alternating current) locomotive trial run as part of the Railway Electrification of the Hospet – Harlapur Section in the Hubli Division Project.

SMEC’s teams in India are celebrating the successful AC (alternating current) locomotive trial run as part of the Railway Electrification of the Hospet – Harlapur Section in the Hubli Division Project. This project is being implemented by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a public sector unit owned by the Indian Government’s Ministry of Railways.

Commencing in 2018, the project involves electrification of a 614-Track kilometre double-line section of the rail network in the state of Karnataka, India. SMEC was appointed to provide Project Management consultancy services for design, supply, erection, testing and commissioning of 25 kV, 50 Hz, single phase, traction overhead equipment, traction sub stations, switching stations, SCADA, signalling and telecommunication works and other civil engineering works.

In August 2020, the SMEC team energized a 110 kV/27 kV railway traction substation at Kariganur. An AC locomotive trial run was then successfully conducted on the 67-kilometre Hospet-Harlapur section, confirming the quality work being done by the SMEC team. SMEC implemented effective quality and safety practices, reaching this milestone with zero loss-time incidents. The success of the trial run is motivating the team while we prepare for the Commissioner of Railway Safety Inspection of the project, scheduled in September 2020.

Electrification of the rail network will reduce pollution and improve the economy and efficiency of train operations by shifting from diesel to electricity. The Ministry of Railways is committed to strengthening the railway network to meet the increasing transportation needs in the region.