Kolkata Metro achieves a breakthrough by replacing its steel third rail with an aluminium third rail between Mahatma Gandhi Road and Central Station. This upgrade enhances energy efficiency, reduces carbon emissions, and aligns with green initiatives, placing Kolkata Metro among global leaders in sustainable urban transport like London, Munich, and Moscow.
Significance of Aluminium Third Rail:
- Energy Efficiency: Aluminium offers higher electrical conductivity (38 million siemens/m) compared to steel (6 million siemens/m), reducing voltage drops and energy losses.
- Operational Benefits: Faster acceleration and reduced headway for trains, improving service frequency.
- Sustainability Impact: Reduction of carbon emissions by 50,000 tons over its lifetime.
- Maintenance Advantages: Aluminium is lightweight, non-corrosive, and easier to handle, requiring less manpower and lower maintenance costs.
Execution of the Replacement:
Preparation and Planning:
- Materials received in phases; engineering and site preparation undertaken meticulously.
- General Manager Shri P. Uday Kumar Reddy emphasized fast-track implementation, aligning with India’s green initiatives.
Replacement Work:
- Work carried out overnight to avoid service disruption.
- Old steel rails dismantled, replaced with aluminium rails using GRP insulators and M65 concrete pedestals.
- New rails connected to the existing power supply systems with precise adjustments.
Challenges and Solutions:
- Ensuring commercial operations were unaffected.
- Minute-to-minute planning with backup strategies ensured timely execution.
Technological and Operational Advancements:
- Design and Components: New rails are fire-resistant, low-smoke generators, and eliminate the need for welding through splice joints.
- Impact on Environment and Tunnels: Reduced heat generation improves air quality and reduces the load on AC systems inside tunnels.
- Global Benchmark: Aluminium third rail technology aligns Kolkata Metro with advanced metros worldwide.
Historical Context:
- Kolkata Metro is the fifth metro system in Asia and has led innovations such as tunnel cooling systems.
- Steel third rail, supplied by SAIL, served efficiently for 40 years but has become obsolete in today’s green technology era.
- Transitioning to aluminium third rail started with newer metro corridors and now extends to the Blue Line.
Conclusion:
The successful replacement of the steel third rail with an aluminium third rail demonstrates Kolkata Metro’s commitment to sustainable urban transport and technological advancement. This transformation not only reduces operational costs but also sets a benchmark for energy efficiency and environmental responsibility in metro rail systems worldwide.
Source: Kolkata Metro – Press Release | Images Credit: Kolkata Metro
