Indian Railways Sanctions ₹163-Crore Traction Upgrade for Parbhani–Mudkhed Rail Section

New Delhi, July 28: Indian Railways has approved a ₹163-crore project to modernise the electric traction system on the Parbhani–Mudkhed double-line section in the Nanded Division of South Central Railway. The initiative is aimed at boosting operational efficiency, increasing freight-carrying capacity, and facilitating the operation of faster passenger services, including Vande Bharat trains.

As part of the project, the existing 1×25 kV electric traction system will be upgraded to a more advanced 2×25 kV system across 164 track kilometres. The work will also include the installation of improved power supply infrastructure to support the increased electrical demand on the route.

The Parbhani–Mudkhed stretch is a key segment of Indian Railways’ Highly Utilised Network (HUN) Route-9, which links Ajmer, Indore, Khandwa, Akola, Purna, Mudkhed, Secunderabad, Mahbubnagar, and Dhone. The corridor plays an important role in both passenger and freight transportation.

Railway officials said the upgraded traction system will provide a more reliable power supply, allowing the section to accommodate heavier freight traffic while improving the efficiency of train operations. The enhanced infrastructure will also support the introduction and smoother movement of high-speed trains such as the Vande Bharat Express.

The project is part of Indian Railways’ broader strategy to strengthen rail infrastructure, modernise its electrical network, and increase freight loading capacity as it works towards its target of transporting 3,000 million tonnes of freight annually by 2029-30. The upgrade is expected to improve network reliability and enhance the overall performance of one of the country’s busiest railway corridors.