The Ministry of Railways has approved a significant investment of Rs 448 crore to upgrade the electric traction system on two crucial railway sections in South India. This move is aimed at boosting rail capacity and operational efficiency in the region.
Bengaluru-Tumkur Section Upgrade
The Bengaluru-Tumkur section, one of the busiest railway corridors, will see an upgrade of its existing 1x25 kV electric traction system to a modern 2x25 kV system over a stretch of 120 Track Kilometres (TKM). The project cost is Rs 162.57 crore. This section is part of the strategically important Highly Utilised Network (HUN) Route-10, which connects major economic and industrial centres along the Pune-Hubballi-Chikjajur-Birur-Tumkur-Bengaluru-Salem-Kanniyakumari corridor.
The ministry stated that the project will help decongest a key rail route serving the Bengaluru metropolitan region and adjoining districts, while also supporting smoother movement of passenger and freight traffic across Karnataka and southern India.
Mahbubnagar-Secunderabad-Medchal Section Upgrade
In addition, the ministry has approved Rs 285.01 crore for the Mahbubnagar-Secunderabad-Medchal section of South Central Railway. Similar to the Bengaluru-Tumkur project, the existing 1x25 kV electric traction system will be upgraded to a 2x25 kV system. The introduction of the 2x25 kV system will provide a more stable and efficient power supply for train operations, making rail services smoother, safer, and more reliable.
The Mahbubnagar-Secunderabad-Medchal section is a major High-Density Network (HDN) route, falling on the Dharmavaram-Dhone-Mahbubnagar-Secunderabad-Medchal-Mudkhed-Indore-Ajmer rail corridor, which carries significant passenger and freight traffic.
Expected Benefits
According to the Ministry of Railways, the projects will enhance train operations on these routes by improving efficiency and increasing capacity. They will facilitate smoother freight movement, boosting the speed and volume of goods transportation, while also supporting trade, industry, and economic growth in the region. The upgrades are expected to contribute to the overall development of railway infrastructure in South India.
