CCEA approves electrification of major NE rail sections

New Delhi: In a move that would facilitate running of long distance freight and passenger trains towards North East entirely on electric traction, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Friday approved electrification of Barauni-Katihar-Guwahati section.

Electrification will allow for continuity of electric traction.

According to an official release, CCEA has approved electrification of 809-km route of Barauni-Katihar-Guwahati section of East Central and North-East Frontier Railways at a cost of Rs 505.68 crore.
The project is likely to be completed by 2011-12.

The move would facilitate running of long distance freight and passenger trains including Rajdhani and Garib Rath Express, towards North East entirely on electric traction.

Electrification will also cater to the anticipated increase in passenger and freight traffic by 2012 and offset requirement of imported crude and diesel, in addition to environmental benefits, it stated.