Ongoing Electrification Works of South Eastern Railway
Ongoing Electrification Works of South Eastern Railway
SER GOING AHEAD WITH ELECTRIFICATION WORK IN ALL SECTIONS TO CURB POLLUTION AND TO REDUCE JOURNEY TIME
Railway Electrification has played an important role in the country by providing the most energy efficient, pollution free and speedy mode of transport to the nation. In South Eastern Railway, total 88% (percent) of the entire route kilometre has already been electrified which includes the main and trunk route. For the rest portion, South Eastern Railway has taken major initiatives to complete the electrification works in the branch line sections.
The ongoing electrification works of S E Railway are in rapid progress. The Bankura-Sonamukhi (41 KM), the part of Bankura-Masagram electrification project (118 KM) having a total estimated cost of 106.45 crores is in completion stage.
Electrification of Tatanagar-Badampahar section (89 KM) having an estimated cost of Rs. 105.42 crore is in rapid progress and expected to be completed within schedule time.
The electrification work of Rupsa-Bangriposi (89 KM) is going on full swing with an estimated cost of Rs.94.89 crores and is expected to be completed within stipulated period up to Baripada in first phase.
Completion of the above projects will help South Eastern Railway to operate seamless movement of train service without any change of traction and will lead to the reduction of journey time of the passenger carrying trains.
Here’s the latest overview of electrification-related works currently underway on South Eastern Railway (SER)—keeping in mind that SER officially achieved 100% route electrification status in early 2025.
Contents
✅ Status: 100% Electrification Achieved
- SER became the second Indian railway zone fully electrified, after completion of the Rupsa–Bangriposi section (89 km) in the Kharagpur division, sanctioned during 2025–19.
- Electrification of Rupsa–Bhanjpur (55 km) was completed in March 2025, followed by Bhanjpur–Bangriposi (34 km) in February 2025. The zone attained full route electrification status thereafter.
🔧 Ongoing Electrification-Related Upgrades & Infrastructure Strengthening
1. Transition from 1×25 kV to 2×25 kV Power Supply System
- SER has initiated upgrades for double-feed traction substation infrastructure, particularly on the Rajkhaswan–Nayagarh–Bolani section in Chakradharpur division.
- These enhancements include the installation of 132 kV traction substations, SCADA-capable equipment, and multiple sectioning/paralleling posts to support 3000 MT loading capacity and more reliable power distribution.
- A contract of ₹191 crore was awarded to RVNL (Rail Vikas Nigam Limited), with an 18-month completion timeline. 2. Traction System Enhancement in Kharagpur Division
- Complementary contract (₹148.26 crore) awarded for traction system upgrades from 1×25 kV to 2×25 kV between Kharagpur (excluding) and Bhadrak (excluding) to support heavy freight movement targets.
📊 Summary Table: Electrification Implementation Status
| Area | Status / Work Type |
|---|---|
| Route Electrification | 100% complete zone-wide (as of February 2025) |
| Power System Upgrades | Ongoing transition to 2×25 kV system in key sections |
| Infrastructure Work | New 132 kV traction substations, SCADA, SP/SSP establishment |
| Lead Contractor | RVNL under EPC mode for civil & electrical scope |
| Completion Timeline | Typically 18-month execution from award date |
🌟 Why These Upgrades Matter
- Even with full electrification in terms of overhead wire, upgrading the power feeding system ensures enhanced reliability, supporting 100% electric operations, particularly for heavy freight corridors.
- The shift to 2×25 kV traction power allows for redundancy, better voltage stability, and increased loading capabilities.
- SER’s traction improvements are aligned with national targets to support higher-capacity and lower-emission rail operations.
🔍 Additional Notes
- SER’s fully electrified network status is confirmed across all broad gauge routes—Kharagpur division reported 774.4 route km electrified.
- These upgrades are critical to meeting the mission of Indian Railways to achieve net-zero carbon emissions before 2030.
- Reddit commentary reflects ongoing public concerns about SER’s passenger train delays, largely due to coal and freight dominance—reiterating the importance of these power system enhancements.
✅ In Short
- Electrification is complete across all routes of South Eastern Railway.
- What remains active are power system upgrades—not electrification of tracks but reinforcement of feed infrastructure to support bulk freight and heavier operations.
- SER is upgrading to a more robust 2×25 kV traction network, backed by RVNL contracts, due for completion over the next 1–2 years.
Would you like a status update on a specific division or information on future electrification scopes—like feeder lines, satellite connections, or adjacent corridors?