DMRC may change its power system

Delhi Metro may soon have to change overhead electrification (OHE) on some stretches of its Jahangirpuri - Huda City Centre line.

Delhi Metro may soon have to change overhead electrification (OHE) on some stretches of its Jahangirpuri - Huda City Centre line. Sources said there is problem with the OHE system (that provides power to the trains) which causes frequent snarls in the Metro system.

HT Image

The problem, said sources, is acute where power supply switches from one sub-station to another. The 48-km Jahangir-puri - Huda City Centre line is provided electricity from six different electrical sub-stations.

“The problem occurs where the electricity supply shifts from one sub-station to the other (which is called neutral points). Most sparks have been noticed at these neutral points that cause electricity failure, bringing train to a sudden halt,” said a source in Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

“We are also trying to find out how the pantographs (that draw power from the OHE and supply to the train) behave at these neutral points,” he added.

DMRC officials said an expert team from Swiss company Frurer and Frey that had installed the OHE system in the entire Metro network is examining the system to sort out the problems. “All issues will be cleared within a few days. We will make necessary corrections to ensure service efficiency to our commuters,” said Satish Kumar, director (electrical), DMRC.

Following HT report on Tuesday, Delhi Metro chief E Sreedharan called a high level meeting to discuss the issues related to OHE and pantographs and asked his men to immediately sort out the problems that are causing inconvenience to commuters.