Pitching for environment-friendly and energy efficient mode for train operation, the Railways have completed the electrification of 558.23-km-long track between the busy Lucknow and Mughalsarai route.
The Rs 280-crore electrification project, executed by Ircon International Ltd, a PSU under the Railway Ministry, also included construction of 5 traction sub-stations, 23 switching posts and modification of signalling arrangements.
The electrified line from Lucknow to Mughalsarai passing through Sultanpur and Jaunpur will replace the existing diesel traction.
“The line has been inspected and cleared by Commissioner of Railway Safety for commercial operation and the first goods train has successfully run on the section,” said a senior Railway Ministry official.
The Railways have a total of 65,000-km-long route across the country out of which 22,224 km have been electrified as on March 2012.
In the field of electrification, Ircon has recently bagged Rs 234 crore of projects from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation for power supply arrangements in Phase III.