The Central Railway (CR) of India has converted the electrical systems between the Kalyan and Thane railway stations from 1,500V direct current (DC) to 25KV alternating current (AC).
The conversion was carried out on the fifth and sixth lines between the Thane and Kurla terminus. The shift from DC to AC will allow CR to save costs on energy investment.
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The shift has reduced the height gap of some of old road bridges and foot over bridges (FOBs) from 4.71m to 4.265m, which has forced CR to provide more headroom for taller coaches like Rajdhani-type Linke Holfmann Busch (LHB) coaches, which have a height of 4.381m.
According to CR officials, some FOBs would have to be rebuilt, but raising old road bridges would be a tough proposition that would require the level of the tracks to be lowered.
They also expressed concerns over the soon-to-begin tougher conversion process between Thane and CST, which has lower overhead structures.
Following the request by the railway ministry to finish the conversion process by mid-2014, the CR has finalised preparations for four lower overhead structures that will be raised.
The lower overhead structures include Hancock bridge at the north end of Sandhurst Road, the Matunga north end FOB and the Kasaiwada FOB at the south end of Kurla.
The conversion between Thane and CST is expected to begin by the mid-2014.
