New Delhi, Indian Railways has achieved a major engineering milestone by completing the electrification of the Sakleshpur–Subramanya Road ghat section, one of the most rugged and technically demanding stretches in its entire network. This accomplishment marks a significant leap forward in railway engineering, sustainability, and operational efficiency.

The achievement was celebrated on December 28, 2025, with the successful trial run of an electric locomotive. With this, the ghat section is now fully ready for electric train operations. The completion of this project also means that the entire Bengaluru–Mangaluru rail route has become fully electrified, enhancing connectivity, efficiency, and environmental sustainability across the region.

A Route Through Extreme Terrain

The electrified ghat section spans 55 kilometres between Sakleshpur and Subramanya Road, cutting through some of the most complex terrain in the country. With steep gradients of 1 in 50, 57 tunnels, 226 bridges, and 108 sharp curves, the section poses formidable engineering challenges. The absence of road access to the track and the area’s high vulnerability to landslides—especially during the monsoon—made electrification an exceptionally demanding task.

Precision Engineering Under Difficult Conditions

Electrification work began in December 2023 and involved the construction of five switching stations along with complete overhead electrification. To ensure safety and reliability, the maximum distance between traction poles was restricted to 67.5 metres.

Tunnel electrification required special attention. Across the 57 tunnels, 427 main brackets and 427 auxiliary brackets were installed. Detailed geological studies were conducted in collaboration with the National Institute of Rock Mechanics and Bangalore University. To ensure long-term stability, pull-out tests were carried out at every bracket location to verify anchoring strength.

Overcoming Natural Challenges

Steep gradients demanded specialized equipment and robust engineering solutions. Heavy rainfall, landslides, soil erosion, and falling rocks frequently disrupted work. In many locations, materials had to be transported by rail due to the remoteness and inaccessibility of the terrain. Throughout the project, stringent safety protocols were followed, and the work was meticulously planned to ensure uninterrupted and safe railway operations during execution.

Gateway to Faster, Cleaner Rail Travel

With electrification complete and trials successfully concluded, the ghat section is now fully ready for electric train services. This transition will significantly reduce fuel consumption, lower carbon emissions, and improve operational efficiency. It also paves the way for the introduction of Vande Bharat and other high-speed electric train services, enabling faster, cleaner, and more reliable travel to the coastal region.

The project is expected to strengthen economic and commercial ties between Bengaluru, India’s IT hub, and Mangaluru, a key port city, along with other coastal commercial centres. Improved passenger and freight mobility will boost trade, tourism, and service-sector growth across the region.

Highlighting the importance of the achievement, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “Now we will be able to run Vande Bharat trains to Mangaluru on this route.”

Towards a Fully Electrified Rail Network

Indian Railways has already electrified over 99% of its broad-gauge network. Since 2014, more than 49,000 kilometres of routes have been electrified, compared to 21,801 kilometres achieved in the previous six decades. Remarkably, between 2019 and 2025 alone, nearly 33,000 kilometres were electrified—almost equivalent to the entire railway network of Germany.

With the completion of the remaining small sections, India is set to possess one of the world’s largest fully electrified railway networks, reaffirming Indian Railways’ strong commitment to clean energy, reduced carbon emissions, energy security, and reliable rail travel for millions of passengers every day.

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