Use of bio-diesel in diesel locomotives of different types is all set to commence in a big way in Tiruchi with requisite facility put in place and a large quantity of fuel having arrived here.
The Diesel Loco Shed in Tiruchi is where high-speed diesel blended with bio-diesel will be topped up in the fleet of diesel locomotives that are being maintained in the sprawling shed.
A 20,000-litre tank with new pipelines has been established at a cost of Rs. 10 lakh adjoining the shed by the Indian Oil Corporation to store bio-diesel.
Railway officials told The Hindu that the first consignment of 24,000-litre bio-diesel reached the shed from a private vendor based in Kolkata on Tuesday.
The railways have planned to use 5 per cent of bio-diesel in diesel locomotives with the remaining being high-speed diesel, say the officials.
Limited quantity of bio-diesel will be mixed with high-speed diesel and the blended fuel will be topped up in the diesel locomotives which come to the shed for refuelling regularly.
Officials say the main objective of using bio-diesel manufactured from jatropha seeds was to reduce consumption of high speed diesel and cut down on oil bill for the Indian Railway in the long run. Bio-diesel will be used in all types of diesel locomotives, including the high horsepower ‘EMD’ locos maintained by the shed.
