The Parbhani-Mudkhed double line section in the Nanded division of South Central Railway will be upgraded with an electric traction system, thanks to a 163 crore project approved by Indian Railways. This is a significant step forward in the expansion of the country’s railway infrastructure. The project, as stated by the Ministry of Railways, will span 164 track kilometres and convert the current 1×25 kV electric traction system to a more modern 2×25 kV system. It will also include extensive power supply infrastructure that can handle larger electrical loads. Improved operating efficiency, more line capacity, and more reliable train operations are all anticipated outcomes of the modernisation.
Section 9 of the Highly Utilised Network (HUN) passes through Parbhani and Mudkhed. This section links Ajmer, Indore, Khandwa, Akola, Purna, Mudkhed, Secunderabad, Mahbubnagar, and Dhone. Indian Railways will improve the power available for locomotives and make it possible for the corridor to handle more freight traffic and the operation of Vande Bharat Express trains by implementing the 225 kV traction system. Along one of the country’s vital freight and passenger corridors, the upgraded traction infrastructure is anticipated to ease operational limitations, enhance energy efficiency, and enable quicker and more dependable train travel.
The project is also in line with Indian Railways’ goal of loading three million metric tonnes of goods by the end of the decade 2029–30. An important part of India’s plan to boost logistics efficiency, lower transportation costs, and fortify its multimodal transport network is to upgrade its high-density railway lines with modern electrical infrastructure. The increased demand for rail travel throughout the nation will be met by the improved traction system, which will provide a sufficient power supply for heavier goods trains and high-speed passenger services.
With a far smaller network than Switzerland, 99.6 percent of India’s broad gauge network is electrified, making it the world leader in railway electrification. Indian Railways electrified 48,072 route miles between 2014 and 2026, up from 21,801 route kilometres in the preceding 60 years, according to Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. In terms of the percentage of electrified railway networks, India has surpassed countries like China, Spain, Japan, France, and the UK, thanks to its fast electrification pace. This shows that India is serious about creating an efficient, modern, and ecologically friendly railway system.
The ongoing investment in modern infrastructure by Indian Railways is evident in the ₹163 crore electric traction improvement in the Nanded division. Improving power capacity, freight efficiency, and enabling enhanced passenger services like Vande Bharat Express are among ways this project can help modernise and expand India’s railway network in the long run.
