Railways Upgrades 596 Track Km on Delhi-Mumbai Route for 160 Kmph
Indian Railways has completed a major electrification upgrade across 596 track kilometres within the Kota Division of West Central Railway. This infrastructure enhancement is a core component of Mission Raftaar, a national initiative designed to increase operational speeds for premium passenger services, including the Vande Bharat Express, to 160 kmph. The project aims to reduce the transit time between Delhi and Mumbai to approximately 12 hours. As part of the latest phase, authorities commissioned a 2x25 kV traction power supply system across a 128-track-km section connecting Salabad and Murhesi Rampur.
The operational framework for 160 kmph speed raising and W-beam metal fencing was developed and first provided on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai corridor before rollout across trunk routes.
The 2x25 kV autotransformer traction system incorporates a parallel negative feeder wire and autotransformers spaced at 10-15 km intervals, doubling transmission voltage to 50 kV while delivering 25 kV to the locomotive pantograph.
Traction Power Infrastructure in Kota Division
Saurabh Jain, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of Kota Division, noted that a robust power supply is essential to support the increased electrical demand from faster passenger trains and higher traffic density. The division has now commissioned three primary sections of this advanced traction network: 368 track kilometres between Nagda and Rawtha Road, 100 track kilometres between Malarna and Piloda, and 128 track kilometres between Salabad and Murhesi Rampur.
In addition to the power supply network, the division energized a 2x25 kV Traction Substation at Bharatpur, which is currently operating at full load. This facility is the fourth of its kind in the division, following earlier installations at Suwasra, Gangapur City Junction, and Ramganj Mandi. The upgraded electrical infrastructure also incorporates twelve Sub-Sectioning Posts, seven Sectioning Posts, and four Traction Substations.
Northern Corridor and Operational Integration
Additional power installations at Kosikalan, Mathura, and Sholaka have been energized, with testing underway at Vrindavan, Kotwan, Hodal, and Ajhai. Beyond electrical systems, the project includes overhead equipment modifications, the installation of super masts, and yard remodelling at Mathura and Bhuteshwar. Railway authorities have also integrated SCADA technology to enable remote monitoring and control of the traction network from the Agra control hub. While these upgrades are designed to support 160 kmph operations, commercial implementation remains subject to track infrastructure improvements, signalling upgrades, and final statutory operational clearances.
The gaps from the ground level and between the two beams have been designed in the new W-Beam metal fence so that cattle or two-wheelers cannot cross over to the tracks.