Sakleshpur–Subramanya Road ghat section electrified; Bengaluru–Mangaluru route now fully electric
South Western Railway completed electrification of the 55-km Sakleshpur–Subramanya Road ghat section in Karnataka with a successful electric locomotive trial on 28 December 2025, making the whole Bengaluru–Mangaluru route electrified.
Summary
The Sakleshpur–Subramanya Road ghat section in Karnataka, one of the toughest stretches on Indian Railways, was declared fully electrified after a successful electric locomotive trial on 28 December 2025 by the Mysuru Division of South Western Railway. The 55-km section has a ruling gradient of 1 in 50, 57 tunnels and 108 sharp curves in landslide-prone Western Ghats terrain; work began in December 2023 and cost ₹93.55 crore. With this, the entire Bengaluru–Mangaluru rail route is electrified, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Vande Bharat trains can now run to Mangaluru.
Key facts
- Trial
- Electric loco trial, 28 December 2025
- Section
- Sakleshpur–Subramanya Road, 55 km (Karnataka)
- Terrain
- 1 in 50 gradient; 57 tunnels; 108 sharp curves
- Work
- Began December 2023; five switching stations; ₹93.55 crore
- Result
- Entire Bengaluru–Mangaluru route electrified
Practice MCQs 3 questions
With the electrification of the Sakleshpur–Subramanya Road ghat section in December 2025, which rail route became fully electrified?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Bengaluru–Mangaluru
PIB (Railways): with this ghat stretch electrified, the entire Bengaluru–Mangaluru rail route is now fully electrified.
What is the length of the Sakleshpur–Subramanya Road ghat section electrified in December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 55 km
PIB, The Hindu and The New Indian Express: the electrified ghat section covers 55 km between Sakleshpur and Subramanya Road.
Consider the following statements about the Sakleshpur–Subramanya Road ghat section: 1. The section has a steep ruling gradient of 1 in 50. 2. The section passes through 57 tunnels. 3. Electrification work on the section began in December 2023. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB, The Hindu and The New Indian Express: the section has a 1-in-50 ruling gradient and 57 tunnels, and work began in December 2023. All three statements are correct.