Indian Railways Approves ₹163 Crore Traction Upgrade for Parbhani-Mudkhed

Indian Railways sanctioned a ₹163 crore project on 28 July 2026 for the upgradation of the electric traction system on the Parbhani-Mudkhed double line section. The section falls under the Nanded Division of the South Central Railway and covers 164 track kilometres.

Electric Traction System

Electric traction is the use of electric power for train movement through overhead equipment and substations. The existing 1×25 kV system on the Parbhani-Mudkhed section will be converted to a 2×25 kV system, which is used on high-density railway corridors.

Project Scope and Technical Features

The project includes electric traction upgradation and associated power supply installation works. The 2×25 kV system uses a higher voltage arrangement for better power transmission over long stretches of railway track. Such systems are used to support heavier train loads and higher traffic density on double line sections.

Route Significance and Railway Network

The Parbhani-Mudkhed section forms part of Highly Utilised Network Route-9. This route connects major railway points such as Ajmer, Indore, Secunderabad, and Dhone. The section is placed on a corridor that handles both passenger and freight movement within the South Central Railway zone.

Important Facts for Exams

• Indian Railways was established in 1853, and it remains one of the largest railway networks in the world by route length.
• South Central Railway is one of the 18 railway zones of Indian Railways.
• Vande Bharat Express is an indigenous semi-high-speed train service operated by Indian Railways.
• Indian Railways has set a freight loading target of 3,000 million tonnes by 2029-30.

Freight and Operational Capacity

The upgraded traction system is intended to support higher freight volumes on the section. It also aligns with Indian Railways’ electrification and infrastructure modernisation works on busy routes across the country.