Saft’s batteries to provide emergency power for India’s Himalayan rail tunnels

Saft has supplied high-reliability and low-maintenance nickel-based batteries for backup power on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramula Rail Link
Providing always-on power for critical systems in extreme conditions, the installations will optimize lifetime costs, cut travel time and boost economic growth

Bengalore, March 26th, 2024 – Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, has delivered backup batteries for critical safety systems in tunnels along a new stretch of the Udhampur-Srinagar- Baramula Rail Link (USBRL) between the towns of Banihal and Sangaldan in the Kashmir valley.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the new section of the USBRL in February 2024, demonstrating the strategic importance and technical achievement of building the route through challenging terrain with intense seismic activity and where winter temperatures drop to -20 °C.

Railway technology manufacturer Autometers Alliance Ltd turned to Saft for more than 30 sets of ReGenPro batteries to provide standby power for operations and safety systems in most of the tunnels on the railroad.

Saft’s ReGenPro batteries are providing the autonomy needed for essential tunnel safety and communication systems such as lighting, emergency lighting, fire detection, data transmission systems, and electrical switchgear. In turn, this will ensure the continuity of services and the safety of passengers and train crews.

Nickel technology was selected over other chemistries because of its proven high reliability, low maintenance requirements, long lifetime and because Saft nickel technology is not susceptible to sudden death. In addition, the low-temperature capability cuts costs and emissions while simplifying installation by reducing substation heating requirements.

As well as the batteries, Saft also developed specially reinforced battery racks capable of withstanding intensive ground acceleration forces in the Seismic Zone 5 conditions found in the Kashmir-Jammu region.

Shirish Kulkarni, Saft India General Manager Sales & Marketing, said: “The success of Saft’s backup batteries in the Kashmir-Jammu Rail tunnels has shown that our technology provides reliability, long life and sustainability in the most demanding conditions. As a result, Indian Railways can limit maintenance and control operating costs in extremely remote sites.”

The new 48 km line from Banihal to Sangaldan features 16 bridges and 11 tunnels, which cover more than 43 km. These include the T50, India’s longest transport tunnel, which stretches 12.77 km. When the section enters full operation in late 2024, it will slash journey times by hours and provide reliable year-round passenger and freight services to boost the region’s economy, which is based on tourism and farming.

Saft specializes in advanced technology battery solutions for industry, from the design and development to the production, customization and service provision. For more than 100 years, Saft’s longer-lasting batteries and systems have provided critical safety applications, back-up power and propulsion for our customers. Our innovative, safe and reliable technology delivers high performance on land, at sea, in the air and in space.

Saft is powering industry and smarter cities, while providing critical back-up functionality in remote and harsh environments from the Arctic Circle to the Sahara Desert. Saft is a wholly owned subsidiary of TotalEnergies, a broad energy company that produces and markets energies on a global scale: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity.

Belén d’Alexis, External Communications Manager Tel.: +33 1 58 63 16 60, email: belen.dalexis@saft.com

Saft’s batteries to provide emergency power for India’s Himalayan rail tunnels

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