Indian Railways expanding capacity, improving operational efficiency
In a significant step towards strengthening rail infrastructure and enhancing capacity on the Southern Railway network, Indian Railways has approved on 8 June the doubling of the 10.65 km Mararikulam – Alappuzha section of Southern Railway at a sanctioned cost of Rs.220.51 crore.
The project has been approved under the umbrella work for doubling, tripling, quadrupling, flyover and bypass works aimed at augmenting the capacity of the railway network. The Mararikulam – Alappuzha section is presently the only remaining single-line stretch on the Ernakulam – Turavur – Alappuzha – Ambalapuzha – Kayankulam corridor, where other doubling works have already been commissioned or are under implementation.
Upon completion, the project is expected to facilitate the operation of 9 additional passenger trains in each direction per day and support freight traffic of 2.88 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
The doubling work is also projected to generate additional net earnings of approximately ₹3.08 crore annually through enhanced passenger and freight movement, the Railway Ministry said.
The approval reaffirms Indian Railways’ commitment to expanding rail capacity, improving operational efficiency and supporting the socio-economic development of Keralam through modern and future-ready railway infrastructure.
The Railways has also sanctioned the upgradation of the electric traction system on the Bengaluru-Tumkur section of South Western Railway.
The project involves the conversion of the existing 1×25 kV electric traction system to a 2×25 kV electric traction system over a stretch of 120 Track Kilometres (TKM). The sanctioned cost of the project is Rs.162.57 crore.
The Bengaluru-Tumakuru section forms part of the strategically important Highly Utilized Network (HUN) Route-10, which connects major economic and industrial centres along the Pune-Hubballi-Chikjajur-Birur-Tumkur-Bengaluru-Salem-Kanniyakumari corridor.
The adoption of the 2×25 kV traction system will strengthen power supply arrangements for train operations, enabling the section to handle higher traffic volumes more efficiently. The upgraded system is expected to support the operation of heavier freight trains and longer passenger services while improving overall reliability of electric traction infrastructure.
The Mahbubnagar-Secunderabad-Medchal section of South Central Railway has also been sanctioned. Under the project, the existing 1×25 kV electric traction system will be upgraded to a modern 2×25 kV electric traction system. The work will be undertaken over this approximately 141 route kilometre rail section at a cost of Rs.285.01 crore.
The project is part of Indian Railways’ ongoing efforts to enhance capacity on busy rail corridors across the country. The introduction of the 2×25 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 part of one of the country’s important High-Density Network (HDN) routes. It falls on the Dharmavaram-Dhone-Mahbubnagar-Secunderabad-Medchal-Mudkhed-Indore-Ajmer rail corridor, which carries substantial passenger and freight traffic.
Upon completion, the project will further improve train operations on the route. Freight movement will become more efficient, enhancing both the speed and capacity of goods transportation. The project is also expected to support trade, industry and economic activity across the region, the Ministry said. fiinews.com
