DEMU train extended to Dungarpur - expected to ply from January 15

DEMU train will depart from Dungarpur at 2:20pm.

By UdaipurTimes Team Jan 6, 2022, 17:32 IST

The decision to extend the DEMU train between Ahmedabad and Himmatgar to Dungarpur from 15 January, is a welcome news at the beginning of the year for residents of the Dungarpur district under Udaipur division.

What is a DEMU Train: A DEMU (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit) train is a multiple unit short-distance train that is powered by onboard diesel engines. There is no separate locomotive/engine as the engine is incorporated in any one of the carriages. Normally DEMU trains provide power for passenger utilites like lights, fans, etc from a diesel driven generator).

The Ahmedabad - Himmatnagar route is being served by the DEMU train for the past five years. Extending it till Dungarpur from this month will come as a relief for commuters from this area, since the last train which was running between Udaipur and Ahmedabad along this route was discontinued from 1 January, 2017. Rail transport was absent in this area since then and after the broad gauge work began on the Udaipur - Ahmedabad circuit. During this time, the divisional railway office was plying a DEMU train between Ahmedabad and Himmatnagar.

Which was the first DEMU train in India: The first DEMU train in India began its operations on October 23, 1994 and ran between Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur. The 1400HP powered DEMU train service was introduced in 2002 and the 1600HP powered DEMU service was introduced in 2017. The first Solar powered DEMU train was also launched in 2017.

As per information provided to the media, the DEMU train will depart from Dungarpur at 2:20pm. Passengers from the Dungarpur district will once again be connected to Ahmedabad and beyond by rail.

How does a DEMU train work: Each passenger carrying car has its own motive power source, which is installed below the coach. This euips the DEMU rakes with quick acceleration and deceleration and they are most suited for running across short distances. DEMU train does'nt need engine reversals at terminal railway stations, which eliminates the shunting operations and saves time.

As per Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Railways, VIvek Rawat, the process for extending the DEMU service till Dungarpur is almost complete and the proposal for the extension has been sent to the Railway headquarters. IT is expected that the formalisation of the process will be completed before the beginning of next week