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. 

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