The electrification of the 55-km ghat section between Sakleshpur and Subramanya Road, one of the most challenging stretches of Indian Railways, has been successfully completed.

On 28 December, 2025, the South Western Railway (SWR) conducted a successful electric locomotive trial on the stretch, which features a steep 1-in-50 gradient, 57 tunnels, 258 bridges, and 108 sharp curves. The project, initiated in December 2023 and completed at a cost of Rs 93.55 crore, involved constructing five switching stations and overhead electrification across the entire route. The system was designed for a maximum speed of 120 km/h and includes safety features to handle the challenging terrain.

The project faced numerous obstacles, including heavy monsoons, landslides, and rockfalls, which required specialised engineering solutions and careful safety measures. The achievement will allow cleaner, more energy-efficient train operations in the region.