Modi Dedicates Sakleshpur Subrahmanya Electrification & Vande Bharat
PM Modi dedicates the electrified Sakleshpur–Subrahmanya Road Ghat section and flags off the new Bengaluru–Mangaluru–Madgaon Vande Bharat Express.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially dedicated the newly completed Sakleshpur Subrahmanya electrification project to the nation. This landmark achievement on November 13, 2026, marks the full electrification of the critical Bengaluru–Mangaluru rail corridor. Alongside this milestone, the Prime Minister also flagged off the new Bengaluru–Mangaluru–Madgaon Vande Bharat Express, which will now traverse this upgraded, electrified route.
A Technical Feat in the Western Ghats
The 55-km Sakleshpur–Subrahmanya Road Ghat section is a true engineering marvel, carved through the complex and challenging terrain of the Western Ghats. The project faced immense technical hurdles due to the geographical landscape, which includes:
- 57 tunnels cutting through the mountains.
- Between 226 and 258 bridges spanning various gaps.
- 108 sharp curves requiring precision navigation.
- A steep 1-in-50 gradient that tests locomotive power.
Given the region's historical susceptibility to landslides, the infrastructure development required extreme technical precision and specialized geological expertise.
Expert Engineering and Implementation
The project was executed by the South Western Railway (SWR), Mysuru Division. To ensure the stability of the tracks and tunnels, geological consultations were provided by the National Institute of Rock Mechanics and Bangalore University.
The journey to this completion began on December 1, 2023. Following the installation of five switching stations in late December 2025, a successful electric locomotive trial was conducted on December 28, 2025. The entire electrification project was completed at a total cost of ₹93.55 crore.
High-Speed Ready Infrastructure
The newly installed overhead equipment is engineered for high-speed efficiency, supporting a maximum speed of 120 kmph. To maintain structural integrity across the terrain, the traction poles utilize a maximum span of 67.5 meters.
This advancement is a vital part of the Ministry of Railways' broader mission to achieve 100% electrification, paving the way for cleaner, faster, and more sustainable rail operations across the country.