KOCHI:It’s just a matter of hours for the diesel electric multiple units (DEMU) to start rolling to the hearts of Kochi residents.
The DEMU service, to be flagged off by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Sunday at 10 am during a function at Ernakulam South railway station, will ply along the Angamaly- Ernakulam- Tripunithura-Piravom corridor from Monday.
For the local people, long hassled by the regular features of the city like traffic bottlenecks and long waits at the signals, the timely introduction of DEMU is set to prove a solace.
The very thought of DEMU also brings a compartment of questions with it, like, What is a DEMU? What are the features of DEMU? And several others.
DEMU
As per the information provided by Indian Railways, DEMU is a self-propelled unit consisting of driving power car and trailer cars. It is expected to provide faster service to suburban areas, where traffic density is high.
What makes it different from the ordinary trains is that DEMU comes with fast acceleration and fast braking systems.
Though it’s a train with frequent stops, these features will enable it to maintain the average speeds of fast/express trains.
Features of DEMU
■ Fast and frequent service.
■ No need for reversals at the terminals as it can be driven from either end.
■ High acceleration.
■ Low capital and maintenance costs.
■ Efficient use of rolling stock.
■ Electro-pneumatic brakes
MEMU vs DEMU
Mainline Electric Multiple Unit or MEMU is used in urban and semi-urban areas and operates on alternating current (AC) drawn from overhead cables. Whereas, DEMU needs no overhead electric lines or electrified lines for its operation. Experts point out that DEMU is more suitable for routes having closely-spaced stops.
OFFICIALSPEAK
Service days: The DEMU service to be flagged off on Sunday will only become operational from Monday onwards. It will provide service to the commuters from Monday to Saturday. Though it’s being inaugurated as DEMU, it will run as MEMU.
Coaches: There will be eight coaches, including an AC coach. It could carry up to 1,300 passengers.
Fare structure: The fare structure is the same as MEMU. But as far as the AC coach is concerned, we don’t have an existing fare structure.
–Sunil Bajpai,Divisional Railway Manager
'May Take Up to One Year to be Fully Operational’
As works remain incomplete at Old Railway Station and Willingdon Island, the DEMU service may take up to one year to be fully operational. As of now, we are starting with the available compartments. The current estimate is that works at Old Railway Station may take three months for completion.
Bus commuters may opt for DEMU after its inception. Changes in vehicular traffic will also be visible on the city roads. In future, the service will be extended. With the introduction of Kochi Metro, the city is all set to witness a quantum leap in short-distance travel.
- K V Thomas MP