Section of speeds of some trains in the Mysuru division of the South Western Railway is likely to be increased and a proposal for the same has been submitted to the railway headquarters for approval.
As per the proposal, the top speed of trains to Nanjangud, which is restricted to 70 kmph at present, will be increased to 90 kmph. This is subject to completion of ballasting which is in progress and the tentative date of completion of the ongoing ballasting work is June 30, 2017.
The proposal to speed up the train on the section was sent on the railway headquarters on December 30, 2016 and is expected in due course. Once the trains are speeded up, the 25-km stretch between Mysuru and Nanjangud can be covered in shorter duration as against nearly 45 minutes that it takes at present. Incidentally, the four-laning of the highway between Mysuru and Nanjangud has reduced the tedium of motoring on the road and the distance is covered in around 25 to 30 minutes by the motorists.
Similarly, for trains plying in the section between Nanjangud and Chamarajanagar, which has a route length of 35 km, the top speed at present is 70 kmph and the proposal is to increase the same to 100 kmph to reduce the running time of the trains.
The Chamarajanagar-Mysuru trains are the lifeline of the daily wagers from the rural hinterland as thousands of workers with Izzat pass use the services daily and seek employment in the construction sector.
On the Mysuru-Bengaluru section, the newly completed broad gauge double line 6-km stretch between Mysuru and Naganahalli has a speed limit of 70 kmph at present. It is proposed to increase it to 100 kmph and the tentative date of completing the ballasting work is June 30, 2017, according to railway officials.
The Hassan – Sakleshpur section, with a route length of 42 km, has a sectional speed of 65 kmph and it is proposed to increase it to 70 kmph and this is expected to be cleared once the ballasting works are completed in another two months.
Trains on the Shivamogga Town-Talaguppa sections are also to be speeded up and the current speed limit on the 97-km stretch varies from 50 kmph to 70 kmph between different points. This is to be increased to 70 kmph to 90 kmph for which the proposal has been sent to the higher authorities.
