Indian Railways completes electrification of challenging 55-km Sakleshpur–Subrahmanya road ghat section

Indian Railways completes electrification of challenging 55-km Sakleshpur–Subrahmanya road ghat section

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, December 29, 2025: Indian Railways has successfully completed the electrification of the highly challenging 55-kilometre ghat railway section between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road, one of the most technically demanding routes in the country. Trial runs of electric locomotives were conducted successfully on Sunday.

The ghat section, regarded as among the toughest in Indian Railways, features a steep 1-in-50 gradient, 57 tunnels, 258 bridges, and 108 sharp curves, and passes through landslide-prone terrain, making electrification a complex engineering task.

The electrification work began on December 1, 2023, and was completed at a cost of ₹93.55 crore. As part of the project, five switching stations were constructed, and overhead electrification was installed across the entire stretch. The overhead equipment has been designed for speeds of up to 120 kmph, with the maximum distance between two electric poles limited to 67.5 metres, ensuring enhanced operational safety and reliability.

For the 57 tunnels along the route, 419 main brackets and 419 additional (spare) brackets were installed to support the overhead equipment. Detailed geological surveys were conducted by the National Institute of Rock Mechanics and Bangalore University for both lined and unlined tunnel sections. Pull-out tests were carried out at every bracket location to ensure proper grouting of bolts and long-term structural stability.

Given the presence of steep inclines extending up to 830 metres, special equipment and robust engineering designs were employed to maintain tension and stability of the overhead electrical system. The project faced significant challenges due to heavy monsoon rains, landslides, soil erosion, and falling rocks. Transporting materials to remote locations along the rail route also posed difficulties. Additionally, due to steep gradients and limited space for safety infrastructure, the Railway Safety Commissioner imposed strict operational and safety restrictions during the execution period.

With the successful completion of electrification and trial runs of electric locomotives, the entire ghat section is now fully ready for electric train operations. This development will enable cleaner, energy-efficient, and cost-effective rail services. According to a release from the South Western Railway, Mysuru Division, the achievement marks a significant step toward Indian Railways’ goal of 100 per cent electrification, reflecting its commitment to building sustainable and environmentally friendly rail infrastructure even in difficult geographical conditions.

The completion of this project will also pave the way for the operation of several trains, including Vande Bharat Express services, between Mangaluru and Bengaluru.