South Central Railway organized a Seminar on “Energy Conservation” today (21st, December, 2011) as a part ofEnergy Conservation Week being observed from 14th to 21st December, 2011 through out the Country. Shri G.N. Asthana, General Manager, South Central Railway who was the Chief Guest on the occasion, inaugurated the Seminar by lighting a ceremonial lamp. Senior officials and staff attended the programme in large number.
In his inaugural address, Shri G.N. Asthana congratulated the Electrical Department of South Central Railway for bagging the National Energy Conservation Award for the year 2010-11. S.C Railway reduced non-traction energy consumption in 2010-11 by 4.3% ie. from 146.5 million units to 140.3 million units, as compared to the previous year. Electric Traction energy consumption was also reduced by 5.1% and Diesel fuel consumption by 3.5%, he informed. Even though Rail transport is energy efficient when compared to other modes of transport such as road, air and marine, it consumes considerably large quantity of fuel and electrical energy, given the quantum of transport. At the backdrop of less production of coal and high cost / scarcity ofDiesel andelectricity, it is imperative to save / conserve energy which in turn help boost the growth of Indian economy, he added.
Shri R. Vijaya Mohan, Additional General Manager, SC Railway, speaking on the occasion, said that SC Railway is poised to cross 100 million tonnes mark in freight loading by operating morenumber of Goods trains. In addition, it adds many additional express trainsevery year to cater to the ever increasing passenger traffic. SC Railway spends 30% of its total outlay towards cost of energy, he said. There was large gap between the supply and demand position of energy in our Country. It might take long time to bridge the gap by enhancing production ofthermal, hydal, nuclearand solar power. He appealed to officials of electrical department to continue the energy conservations measures to cerate new records with out giving any room for complacency.
Shri G.R. Agarwal, Chief Electrical Engineer, South Central Railway, in his welcome address, narrated various energy conservation measures being adopted in SC. Railway such as increased use of T-5, LED, and CFL lamps, star rated appliances, solar energy, timer for high mast lightings, three phase locomotives, regenerative braking system, switching off electric engines while idling for a long time etc.
Staff of Electrical Loco Shed, South Lallaguda under the direction of Shri Swapnam Mandal, staged a skit on energy conservation. Technical Session with experts presenting their papers on energy conservation followed the inaugural session.