THRISSUR: The various stages of progress achieved in the use of bio-diesel as fuel to run trains have been showcased at a stall put by the Indian Railways at the Thrissur Pooram exhibition.

According to the materials displayed at the stall, the Railways have made substantial progress in the production and use of bio-diesel extracted from plants like Jatropha Curcas and Pongamia Pinnata. The Railways have already built plants to extract diesel from plants and conducted trial runs on different types of vehicles using mixtures of bio-diesel and petro-diesel.

At present, 23 road vehicles are running on bio-diesel and petro-diesel mixture on a trial basis at the Railways' bio-diesel manufacturing plant at Perambur, near Chennai. Two meter-gauge train, two Diesel Electrical Multiple Unit (DMEU) trains and one broad-gauge train have been powered with the mixture.

Emphasising the importance of development of bio-diesel as an alternative fuel, the experts at the stall said this could play an important role in the overall economy of Railways, which has a large fleet of about 5,000 engines. If developed on a large-scale, bio-diesel can make the country self-reliant in the energy field.

"Oil processing is simple and suited to rural areas. It can increase rural employment potential as well as infuse dynamism into the rural economy. It can

also make decentralised power generation in rural areas feasible,'' explained the experts.

Bio-diesel is environment-friendly oil. It is free from sulphur, and has 10 per cent dissolved oxygen, which meant complete combustion and reduced carbon

monoxide. Since bio-diesel is produced through massive plantation, carbon dioxide recycling will be enhanced, they said.

The stall, which was inaugurated by Divisional Railway Manager S Vijayakumaran, showcases other exhibits, including a running model of Rajdhani Express and various types of static train models from the Integral Coach Factory. Panels displaying the history of the Railways and providing several useful information to the passengers have also been put up at the stall.

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