Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Mar 10: The electric train that was run on an experimental basis on the newly laid power line between the city and Karwar successfully covered the distance. Currently, trial runs are being arranged. Once the route is checked by the railway safety commissioner and cleared, the line will be open to serve the passengers, said a release by Konkan Railway Corporation.

The electric train successfully completed its run on Sunday. It left Thokoor at 9.40 am and reached Karwar at 12.44 pm. It left Karwar at 1.40 pm and reached Thokoor at 4 pm. The electricity-run trains are likely to be available for passenger traffic by June this year.

The work of electrification of the Konkan railway section of the line between Thokoor and Karwar had been completed about a month back. Electrification of this 400 km line was done at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore. Now only minor works are remaining, and on the way, there will be substations at Mulky, Murudeshwar, Barkur, Senapur and Jali, the officials said.

Konkan Railway divisional manager, B B Nigam, stated that all preparations are being made for the regular run of electric trains on this route and once it is checked by the safety and surveillance department, the line will be opened for running passenger trains.