BHEL initiates supply of Semi-High-Speed Underslung Traction Converters for Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Project
New Delhi: State-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has achieved a major milestone for the rail transportation sector by commencing supply of underslung traction converters for the prestigious Vande Bharat Sleeper Train project being executed by BHEL-led consortium with TRSL.
A flag-off ceremony was held at BHEL's Bengaluru plant. Ms. Bani Varma, Director (IS&P), BHEL, in the presence of other senior officials, flagged off the first set of semi-highspeed underslung traction converters, specifically designed for the Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains.
Shri S M Ramanathan, Director (E, R&D), BHEL, and Shri Umesh Chowdhary, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, TRSL, attended the ceremony virtually. Significantly, this marks BHEL's strategic entry into the semi-high-speed propulsion segment. The traction converters are being despatched to Kolkata for final assembly of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains. In addition, other major propulsion equipment such as traction motors and transformers for these trains have been developed and manufactured by its Bhopal and Jhansi units.
The underslung equipped with the state-of-the-art IGBT-based traction converters, designs places propulsion equipment beneath the train car, freeing up significant onboard space for passenger amenities and increasing the overall payload capacity of the train.
The Key highlights of the propulsion system include operational speed of up to 160 kmph with design speed of 176 kmph, and high-efficiency power conversion utilizing advanced thermal management to ensure reliability during long-distance overnight journeys.
The country's leading PSU giant-BHEL has delivered best-in-class indigenous solutions in power, transmission, transportation, defence and industry. With the indigenizing complex technologies for locomotives and distributed power trains, BHEL continues to lead India's journey towards self-reliance in the transportation and rolling stock sectors.