Funds sought for diesel loco shed

TIRUCHI: With high horse power General Motors (GM) locomotives expected to be accommodated in the Diesel Loco Shed here in the near future, the authorities have requested the Railway Board to provide funds to augment the infrastructure and procure machinery and plant for the shed.

A comprehensive proposal seeking Rs. 13.4 crore for expanding the facilities in the shed has been forwarded to the Board.

Being one of the four diesel loco sheds in Southern Railway, this shed holds 136 diesel engines, including 101 broad gauge locomotives and 18 broad gauge diesel powered cars.

The other sheds are located at Erode, Tondiarpet and Ernakulam.

The authorities say funds have been sought for carrying out various works including conversion of two metre gauge pit lines to broad gauge standards; construction of catwalk along the pit lines for conducting checks above the floor board of the engine and extension of the shed to accommodate 4,000-HP locos. The locos are longer than the conventional diesel engines by about four metres.

Funds have been sought for construction of a laboratory inside the shed where diesel engines are brought at regular intervals for testing and maintenance.

The authorities say they have proposed to the Board to accommodate 60 such locos at the shed. Some high-speed locos are expected before the end of the financial year.