* Benefits of the total electrification by 2021 shall be realized only if the requisite number of electric locos are inducted into the system * Requirement of E-locos shall be is huge:
(1) Replacement of existing 5000+ D-locos, (3500-5500)
(2) replacement of condemned E-locos (400-1000) as well as
(3) extra E-locos required to haul the incremental traffic generated in next 3-4 years (600-1000)....
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* On the other hand production capacity is very less
(1) CLW- is about only 250-300 locos/yr (1200-1600 E-loco in next 4 years)
(2) DLW- Switch over from D-loco to E-loco production shall take some time (500-1200 E-locos in next 4 years)
(3) ELF Madhepura- Capacity shall gradually be increased to 100 loco/yr by 2021 (200-500 Elocos in next 4 yrs)
* Figure of saving Rs. 12370 crore with expenditure of Rs. 15000 crores i.e. payback of more than 80% of total cost in just 1 years appears to be highly inflated and is hard to digest.
* If electrification of BG is actually completed by 2021, we will find a large number of D locos operating on newly electrified section which will be a fouble edged sword injuring Ir from both the edges, i.e. high electrification cost of newly electrified sections and huge diesel bill to operate DLocos on the electrified sections. In other words, too quick electrification may make electrification project itself a loss making one for IR.