Indian Railways has sanctioned two major projects to upgrade electric traction systems on key high-density rail corridors in Telangana and Karnataka, aimed at enhancing capacity, efficiency and reliability of train operations.

The Railway Ministry said the existing 1×25 kV electric traction system on the Mahbubnagar-Secunderabad-Medchal section of South Central Railway will be upgraded to a modern 2×25 kV system at a cost of over 285 crore rupees. The project will cover around 141 route kilometres on the busy Dharmavaram-Dhone-Mahbubnagar-Secunderabad-Medchal-Mudkhed-Indore-Ajmer corridor, which handles substantial passenger and freight traffic.

 

In Karnataka, Indian Railways has also sanctioned the upgradation of the electric traction system on the Bengaluru-Tumakuru section of South Western Railway. The project, costing over 162 crore rupees, will involve conversion of the existing system to a 2×25 kV traction network over 120 track kilometres. The section forms part of the strategically important Pune-Hubballi-Chikjajur-Birur-Tumakuru-Bengaluru-Salem-Kanniyakumari corridor.

 

According to the Ministry, the adoption of the 2×25 kV traction system will strengthen power supply arrangements, enable smoother operation of heavier freight trains and longer passenger services, and improve the overall reliability of train operations.

 

The projects are also expected to enhance freight movement, support economic activity, and help decongest some of the country’s busiest rail routes. The Ministry said the initiatives are part of Indian Railways’ ongoing efforts to modernise rail infrastructure, increase network capacity and build a future-ready railway system.