MEMU

Jan. 20, 2019

The Railways is planning to replace its passengers’ trains with MEMU ones for regional connectivity in the Golden Quadrilateral – which connects Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata – as it is expected to reduce journey time and decongest high traffic routes.

About:

MEMU is an acronym for “Mainline Electric Multiple Unit”.
MEMU is the Indian Railways designation of the commuter rail system in India for Trains running short distances in Semi-Urban and Rural areas - usually carry daily commuter traffic.
The trains differ from the normal electric multiple units (EMU) that are designed for urban and semi-urban areas. It also differs from a Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU), in which a diesel engine drives an electrical generator or an alternator which produces electrical energy.
Benefits: Passenger trains usually travel between 25 kilometres per hour to 40. On the other hand, the MEMU train has a maximum speed of around 100 kmph averaging at around 50 kmph.

Recent development:

Railways will produce around 1,200 new MEMU coaches to replace around 300 passenger trains in the golden quadrilateral. It has set a target of producing around 6,000 new MEMU coaches in the next five years to completely free the routes from congestion.
These new MEMU trains will have two toilets in each coach and will be safer and more comfortable than passenger trains.

Source : All India Radio