South East Central Railway achieves milestone in electrification drive, paving the way for green transport

RAIPUR: The South East Central Railway (SECR) set another significant milestone in its electrification campaign. With the aim of promoting energy efficiency and green transport in the railway sector, the SECR successfully completed the electrification of 6900.93 track kilometres (TKM) so far.
The SECR, which came into existence on April 1, 2003, focused on modernising and making the railway structure environmentally friendly since its formation. Electrification work was carried out at a rapid pace in the various divisions of SECR - Bilaspur, Raipur, and Nagpur.
Electrification in South East Central Railway first started on January 19, 1970, in the Jharsuguda-Raigarh section. The SECR is the first such zone of Indian Railways which successfully implemented the 2x25 kV AT-AEC-BEC overhead traction system.
This system started on December 14, 2024, in the Bhanupratappur - Antagarh section. In addition, the first 3-phase electric loco twin EF-12K was commissioned on November 26, 2023, in Bhilai.
Due to electrification, the consumption of electrical energy in 2023-24 reached 1859.19 million units, which reduced dependence on fossil fuels and made railway operations more efficient.
Besides this, the transportation of coal, iron, and other goods accelerated through the new electrified lines, which gave a boost to industrial production. The SECR is working towards the inclusion of green energy resources along with the electrification of new rail sections in the near future.
Meanwhile, to mark the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the electric rail journey of Indian Railways, the 3-phase electric loco train will be run on February 3, 2025, in the Bhanupratappur-Antagarh section of Chhattisgarh. This electrification mission of SECR is playing an important role in taking Indian Railways towards 'zero carbon emissions', which will give a new dimension to the economic and environmental sustainability of the nation.
Important Electrification Projects:
- Bilaspur - Anuppur - Katni section (1992-95)
- Gondia - Ballarshah (2017-18)
- Raipur - Naya Raipur (2019-23)
- Bhanupratappur - Antagarh - Taroki (2024-25)