South Western Railway’s Track Upgrade Cuts Travel Time by Over an Hour

Fast Summary:

• south Western Railway (SWR) has implemented a speed enhancement program across it’s network to improve operational efficiency and reduce transit times.
• Key Highlights:

– Enhanced speeds across 835 kilometres of the network during FY 2024-25,saving over 60 minutes cumulatively in train delays.
– Increased loop line speeds at 15 stations spanning 19 loops to 30 kmph, saving 45 minutes; further improvements were made in FY 2025-26, saving an additional 12 minutes.
– Speed upgrades on mainline sections included:
– From 110 kmph to 130 kmph over a stretch of 281 km.
– From 100 kmph to 110 kmph over another route covering 495 km.- A total of 135 kilometres upgraded so far in FY26 (up to July), yielding a cumulative time-saving of 17 minutes this year.

• Improvements cover critical divisions like Bengaluru, Hubballi, and Mysuru; Bengaluru Division contributed substantially by upgrading 591 kilometres for time savings totaling 41 mins.
• Freight operations have also benefited from enhanced speeds and reduced congestion.SWR operates 400 coaching trains daily on its network covering 3,692 route kilometres.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

SWR’s speed enhancement efforts reflect a robust infrastructure push aimed at optimizing rail movement for passengers and goods alike. The significant reductions in sectional delays provide measurable benefits like improved punctuality and faster delivery timelines-factors that are vital for logistics efficiency in industrial corridors served by the railway network. By focusing on loop lines, mainline track upgrades, and better slot utilization standards aligning with national benchmarks (130/110kmph), SWR lays groundwork not only for regional connectivity but also boosts competitiveness in rail freight-an area critical under India’s modal shift objectives.

While commendable progress has been noted specifically under Bengaluru Division’s contribution this fiscal period-a lasting impact relies heavily ensuring allocation system..