MEMU
Electric multiple unit trains in India
title: "MEMU" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["electric-multiple-units-of-india", "25-kv-ac-multiple-units", "train-related-introductions-in-1995"] description: "Electric multiple unit trains in India" topic_path: "geography/india" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MEMU" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Electric multiple unit trains in India ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox public transit"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | MEMU |
| image | RCF-designed Aerodynamic MEMU train.jpg |
| imagesize | 300px |
| caption | A 3rd-generation MEMU train produced by Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala. |
| native_name | |
| owner | Indian Railways |
| area served | India |
| transit_type | Regional rail/Commuter rail |
| began_operation | 1995 |
| operator | Indian Railways |
| marks | IR |
| train_length | 12/15 coaches |
| system_length | |
| track_gauge | broad gauge |
| minimum_radius_of_curvature | |
| el | 25 kV AC Overhead line |
| average_speed | |
| top_speed | 110 km/h |
| :: |
| box_width = | name = MEMU | image = RCF-designed Aerodynamic MEMU train.jpg | alt = | imagesize = 300px | caption = A 3rd-generation MEMU train produced by Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala. | native_name = | owner = Indian Railways | area served = India | transit_type = Regional rail/Commuter rail | daily_ridership = | weekly_ridership = | annual_ridership = | began_operation = 1995 | ended_operation = | operator = Indian Railways | marks = IR | host = | character = | vehicles = | train_length = 12/15 coaches | headway = | system_length = | notrack = | track_gauge = broad gauge | minimum_radius_of_curvature = | el = 25 kV AC Overhead line | average_speed = | top_speed = 110 km/h | chief_executive = | map = | website = | locale = | stations = | end = | start = | line_number = | map_state =
In Indian Railways, a MEMU is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train that serves short and medium-distance routes in India, as compared to normal EMU trains that connect urban and suburban areas. The acronym stands for Mainline Electric Multiple Unit.
History
Indian Railways (IR) started MEMU service on Asansol – Adra section on 15 July 1995 and on Kharagpur – Tata section on 22 July 1995. Delhi-Panipat MEMU service started on 27 September 1995. Raipur–Durg–Bhatapara–Raipur–Bilaspur MEMU service started on 17 October 1995. Arakkonam-Jolarpettai MEMU service on 22 May 2000. Bankura-Midnapore MEMU started on 30 June 2000. The first 20 coach MEMU ran between Surat to Virar in 2017. Since 2019, 3-phase MEMUs have started replacing existing MEMU rakes.
New 3rd generation was rolled out from RCF Kapurthala with following features:
- Ethernet-based Train Control Management System which provides advanced control features
- designed for speeds of up to 110 kmph
- Energy efficient LED lights have been provided with 50 percent emergency lights in each coach
- train is equipped with the latest GPS-based public address and passenger information system in each coach to facilitate passengers with respect to railway stations enroute
- train is equipped with 3-phase IGBT-based converter and inverter designed and developed by BHEL
- train also features a technologically advanced regenerative braking system.
IR is progressively replacing all locomotive-hauled slow and fast passenger and intercity trains with EMUs. The upgraded trains are re-branded as MEMUs.
Operation
The system uses multiple electrical units operating on 25 kV AC drawn from overhead lines. The trailer coaches have two toilets for passengers and one for the crew.
The train can run up to 200 km between Eastern Ghat and Western Ghat. The rakes have a maximum permitted speed of 105 km/h on broad-gauge tracks. The motorcoaches use DC traction motors. These rakes use asynchronous traction motors and have a maximum designed speed of 110 km/h. These use a stainless steel body. Two of them operate on South Central Railways.
ICF launched new MEMUs capable to operate at 110–130 km/h. The construction cost is 26 crore per unit and can carry 2,618 passengers. This train has a three phase traction motor and operates on 25 kV current which saves 35% energy. It offers GPS-based passenger information systems and announcement in coaches. It has double leaf sliding doors, gangways, CCTV cameras and aluminium luggage racks. The driver's cabin has AC and the coach has an emergency communication facility. It is designed to operate between cities 200 - away in Uttar Pradesh. The train may start in February 2019.
Manufacturing
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/MEMU_Rakes_built_by_BEML,_Bangalore.jpg" caption="MEMU Rakes built by BEML, Bangalore" alt="MEMU"] ::
MEMUs are manufactured at Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, and Integral Coach Factory, Chennai. Rakes are maintained in the Titlagarh coach maintenance shops. Marathwada Rail Coach Factory, Latur is currently trying to ramp up production capacity of 250 MEMU coaches per annum.
Maintenance
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/Kollam_MEMU_Shed,_Jan_2017.jpg" caption="MEMU Car Shed and Office]] in [[Kollam Junction railway station]] premises"] ::
MEMU Car Sheds are functioning for the maintenance of MEMU rakes in most of the states where the services are operated. MEMU Car Sheds are operational in Avadi, Bangalore, Kollam, Palakkad, Tambaram, Trichy and Vijayawada under Southern Railway.
Rolling stock
MEMU usually uses 8, 12 and 16 car coaches, but there are 14, 18 and 20 coach configurations too. The trailer coaches have two toilets for passengers and one for the crew.
Services
Diesel Electric Multiple Units (DEMU)
::data[format=table]
| Service | Locale | Distance | Average speed | Travel time | Stops | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ambala–Amb Andaura | Haryana and Himachal Pradesh | 213 km | 41 km/h | 06h 10m | 22 | Twice a day |
| Amritsar–Attari | Punjab | 24 km | 32 km/h | 00h 45m | 13 | Daily |
| Ara–Sasaram | Bihar | 97 km | 28 km/h | 03h 30m | 26 | Daily |
| Banihal–Baramula DEMU | Jammu and Kashmir | 135 km | 58 km/h | 02h 35m | 12 | Daily |
| Indore–Dr. Ambedkar Nagar | Madhya Pradesh | 21 km | 23 km/h | 0h 55m | 12 | Daily |
| Indore–Ratlam | Madhya Pradesh | 115 km | 44 km/h | 02h 40m | 13 | Daily |
| Jalandhar City–Amritsar | Punjab | 79 km | 39 km/h | 01h 50m | 13 | Daily |
| Mahesana–Abu Road DEMU | Gujarat and Rajasthan | 117 km | 37 km/h | 00h 55m | 15 | Daily |
| Nizamabad–Kacheguda | Telangana | 166 km | 40 km/h | 04h 10m | 12 | Thrice a day |
| Raichur–Gadwal–Kacheguda | Karnataka and Telangana | 60 km | 60 km/h | 01h 00m | 8 | Daily |
| Rajgir–Bakhtiyarpur | Bihar | 54 km | 22 km/h | 02h 25m | 5 | Daily |
| Ratlam–Laxmibai Nagar | Madhya Pradesh | 115 km | 45 km/h | 02h 45m | 14 | Daily |
| Rohtak–Rewari | Haryana | 81 km | 40 km/h | 02h 00m | 13 | Daily |
| Sabarmati–Mahesana | Gujarat | 63 km | 47 km/h | 01h 20m | 7 | Daily |
| Sabarmati–Patan | Gujarat | 103 km | 40 km/h | 02h 35m | 7 | Daily |
| Vasai Road–Diva | Maharashtra | 40 km | 46 km/h | 00h 52m | 5 | Daily |
| :: |
Electric Multiple Units (EMU)
::data[format=table]
| Service | Locale | Distance | Average speed | Travel time | Stops | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai–Tirupati | Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu | 147 km | 37 km/h | 04h 00m | 25 | Daily |
| Dahod–Ratlam | Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh | 114 km | 47 km/h | 03h 05m | 12 | Daily |
| Falaknuma–Bhuvanagiri | Telangana | 46 km | 24 km/h | 01h 50m | 15 | Daily |
| Panvel–Dahanu Road MEMU | Maharashtra | 136 km | 41 km/h | 03h 25m | 19 | Daily |
| Panvel–Vasai Road | Maharashtra | 63 km | 46 km/h | 01h 35m | 10 | Daily |
| Rajgir–Danapur | Bihar | 109 km | 24 km/h | 04h 35m | 21 | Daily |
| Sealdah–Berhampore Court | West Bengal | 186 km | 44 km/h | 04h 15m | 23 | Daily |
| Ujjain–Nagda | Madhya Pradesh | 56 km | 39 km/h | 01h 25m | 6 | Daily |
| Virar–Bharuch | Gujarat and maharashtra | 267 km | 37 km/h | 06h 45m | 39 | Daily |
| Whitefield–KSR Bengaluru City | Karnataka | 23 km | 35 km/h | 00h 40m | 12 | Daily |
| :: |
Gallery
File:Bhongir-Falaknuma MEMU at Malkajgiri station 02.jpg|An older MEMU set with the initial blunt nose design. File:RCF-designed Aerodynamic MEMU train.jpg|New Generation of MEMU trainsets manufactured by RCF Kapurthala
References
References
- TTI. "MEMU Trains in India".
- (3 October 2019). "3-phase MEMU to replace conventional DC rakes soon". The Hindu.
- (July 20, 2011). "SCR starts 2 Memu trains". [[The Times of India]].
- Express News Service. (December 9, 2011). "Corporation adamant on saving MEMU dream". CNN-IBM.
- [https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/new-train-18-like-memu-for-north-india-indian-railways-rolls-out-130-kmph-train-for-short-distance-travel/1419415/ New Train 18-like MEMU for North India! Indian Railways rolls out 130 kmph train for short-distance travel]
- (2019-10-28). "MEMU to be extended to Malabar; Passenger trains to be replaced with MEMU".
- (1 September 2019). "10 trains including Shatabdi to remain off-tracks on oct 5". Dailypost}}{{Dead link.
- Press Trust of India. (12 October 2015). "Punjab Chief Minister to Hold Talks With Protesting Farmers".
- "आरा-सासाराम के लिए दो नई पैसेंजर ट्रेन आज से -".
- Ministry of Railways. (4 September 2015). "Shri Suresh Prabhu Flags Off Andaman Express Through Remote Control From Jammu Tawi to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra".
- (24 February 2014). "WR declare closure of Fatehabad-Indore & Fatehabad-Ujjain MG Section for GC works".
- "All DEMU train will go to Indore from June 14".
- (25 October 2018). "Didn't see, feel anything amiss during mishap near Amritsar, say passengers on same train".
- Shah, Jay. "79437/Mahesana - Abu Road DEMU - Mahesana to Abu Road WR/Western Zone - Railway Enquiry".
- "NZB/Nizamabad to KCG/Hyderabad Kacheguda: 23 Trains". India Rail Info.
- (2013-10-13). "Raichur-Kacheguda railway line inaugurated by minister". The Times of India.
- "73253/Rajgir–Bakhtiyarpur DEMU".
- F P News Service. (2 October 2015). "Indore Ratlam DEMU to start today".
- "India's first CNG train for the Rewari-Rohtak section - India's first CNG train".
- "Demand For Train And Rail Facilities In Jalore-Sirohi Is Impractical – जालोर-सिरोही में रेलगाड़ी और रेल सुविधाओं की मांग ‘अव्यावहारिक’ | Patrika News".
- Himansh. "09369/Sabarmati - Patan DEMU Special - Sabarmati BG to Patan WR/Western Zone - Railway Enquiry".
- "Several new trains proposed in Railway Budget".
- (27 February 2013). "Rail Budget 2013: Andhra Pradesh to get 8 express trains, 4 new lines".
- (2017-07-12). "मेमू का बे्रक फेल, रेड सिग्नल क्रॉस -".
- (27 February 2013). "Meagre allocation for projects in Telangana". [[The New Indian Express]].
- "Vasai-Panvel track nod by September end | mumbai news".
- (2011-02-25). "Several new trains proposed in Railway Budget". The Times of India.
- Anand, Siddharth. "63339/Rajgir - Danapur MEMU - Rajgir to Danapur ECR/East Central Zone - Railway Enquiry".
- PATRANABIS, SREERUP. "63105/Sealdah - Lalgola MEMU - Sealdah to Berhampore Court ER/Eastern Zone - Railway Enquiry".
- Jayashree. "69185/Nagda - Ujjain MEMU - Nagda to Ujjain WR/Western Zone - Railway Enquiry".
- "19102/Bharuch–Virar MEMU".
- M, Yash. "66541/Whitefield - KSR Bengaluru MEMU - Whitefield to Bangalore SWR/South Western Zone - Railway Enquiry".
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