South Western Railway upgrades 835 km track; saves over an hour in travel time

To enhance operational efficiency and reduce transit times, the South Western Railway (SWR) has been implementing a comprehensive speed enhancement programme across its network. The SWR has enhanced speeds across 835 kilometres of its network in the financial year 2024–25, resulting in a cumulative time saving of over 60 minutes.

According to officials, the initiative includes increasing speeds on loop lines and raising the Maximum Permissible Sectional Speed (MPS) on key routes, benefiting both goods and passenger movement.

A senior SWR official said that the ongoing infrastructure push covering the Bengaluru, Hubballi, and Mysuru divisions is already showing measurable results. “Not only are passenger journeys becoming faster and more punctual, but goods trains too are moving more swiftly across the zone, contributing to improved logistics and economic growth,” official said.

Bengaluru Division accounted for 591 km upgrade

During the financial year 2024–25, loop line speeds at 15 stations covering 19 loops were increased to 30 kmph. These improvements have saved a cumulative 45 minutes of train delays across the zone. Hubballi Division took the lead, upgrading 10 stations and 12 loops.

“Increasing the loop line speeds has helped clear bottlenecks in station yards and ensured quicker crossover of trains from main lines. This plays a vital role in reducing sectional delays and improving punctuality,” official explained.

In 2025–26, with Hubballi Division further upgrading five loop lines at four stations, resulting in an additional 12 minutes saved so far this fiscal. In FY 2024–25 alone, SWR upgraded 835 route kilometres, saving more than 60 minutes in total travel time. The Bengaluru Division accounted for 591 km of this upgrade, clocking 41 minutes of time saving.

135 km track boost in FY26, 17-min saved

“Key improvements included increasing line speeds from 110 kmph to 130 kmph over 281 km and from 100 kmph to 110 kmph over 495 km. This has enabled faster through-running of trains, improved slot utilisation, and better alignment with national speed standards. In the current financial year up to July 22, 2025, we have already upgraded 135 km of track mostly in the Mysuru Division resulting in 17 minutes of time savings. Tracks upgraded include sections where speed was increased from 70 kmph to 80 kmph,” official said.

The South Western Railway operates around 400 coaching trains daily across its network, covering 3,692 route kilometres and 384 stations. “Faster average speeds and reduced time at loop lines allow trains to run closer to their scheduled times. We have already seeing improved punctuality and reduced congestion,” the official added.

Apart from passenger trains, the speed enhancements have been implemented in freight operations. “We are seeing improved competitiveness in rail freight, which is crucial for industrial corridors and economic zones served by our network,” the official said.