Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 14: Diesel locomotives could soon disappear from the challenging ghat section of the Bengaluru-Mangaluru railway route, with South Western Railway (SWR) preparing to introduce electric locomotive operations on the 55-km stretch between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road.

Nearly a year after the section was electrified, the railway authorities are working towards starting electric train operations on this difficult stretch, which features steep gradients, tunnels and bridges. The move is expected to mark a significant step towards completing the transition to electric traction on the crucial railway link connecting Bengaluru with the coastal region.

Electric trials await completion of substation

SWR is expected to conduct electric locomotive trials on the Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road section once work on the traction substation at Sakleshpur is completed. The facility is essential for supplying power to electric locomotives operating along the stretch.

An SWR Mysuru division official said work on the traction substation was under way and that electric trials were expected to begin after its completion.

The official also confirmed that the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) trials for Vande Bharat trains had been completed last month, as preparations continued to introduce electric locomotive operations on the route.

Seven trains proposed for electric traction

South Western Railway has proposed switching seven trains to alternating current (AC) traction on the ghat section. The services identified for the transition are:

• SMVT Bengaluru-Murdeshwar Express
• Kozhikode Express
• Yeshwantpur-Karwar Express
• Yeshwantpur-Mangaluru Junction Weekly Express
• Gomteshwara Express
• Vijayapura-Mangaluru Central Express
• KSR Bengaluru-Karwar Panchaganga Express

Of these seven services, four currently operate with diesel locomotives, while the remaining trains use electric locomotives but also partially rely on diesel power.

Diesel locomotives still used to negotiate ghats

The Kozhikode Express, SMVT Bengaluru-Murudeshwar Express and Vijayapura-Mangaluru Central Express currently use diesel locomotives for at least part of their journeys through the ghat section. Although these trains also operate with electric locomotives on other stretches, diesel power is used to negotiate the challenging terrain.

The proposed switch to electric traction aims to enable the identified services to operate with electric locomotives throughout the electrified ghat stretch, reducing their dependence on diesel power.

Substation work key to transition

The 55-km Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road section is a crucial part of the Bengaluru-Mangaluru railway link. Its steep gradients and difficult terrain have made locomotive operations particularly challenging.

With electrification already completed and work on the traction substation progressing, the commencement of electric trials is expected to be a key milestone towards introducing electric locomotive services on the section.

Once the required infrastructure work and trials are completed, the proposed transition could bring the railway authorities closer to eliminating diesel locomotive operations on this demanding ghat stretch, improving operational efficiency and reducing dependence on diesel-powered traction.