To further enhance the efficiency of rail operations on Karnataka’s busiest rail route, the Indian Railways has sanctioned the upgradation of the existing 1×25 kV electric traction system to a modern 2×25 kV electric traction system.
The project will be implemented over an area of 120 track kilometres (TKM) and is approved at a cost of ₹162.57 crore. The Bengaluru–Tumkur rail section is part of the important Highly Utilised Network (HUN) Route-10, connecting major industrial and economic centres like Pune, Hubballi, Chikkajajur, Birur, Tumkur, Bengaluru, Salem and Kanyakumari.
The implementation of the 2×25 kV traction system is expected to further strengthen the power supply system for trains. This will enable the growing rail traffic on this section to be handled more efficiently. It will also facilitate the operation of heavy freight trains and long-distance passenger trains and increase the reliability of the electric traction infrastructure.
This upgrade will help increase capacity on this rail route serving Bengaluru and surrounding areas and will also facilitate passenger and freight transport within Karnataka and South India.
This project will strengthen Indian Railways’ efforts to modernise its electrical infrastructure, enhance network capacity and ensure smoother operations on busy rail corridors.