Rail Travellers Between Bengaluru And Mysuru Can Soon Avail MEMU Services After Electrification Nears Completion 

The installation of a 220-kV line to feed the overhead lines of the railway network between Bengaluru and Mysuru will be completed by November by the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation (KPTCL) Ltd.

Starting from Tubinakere, the four-kilometre long power line will be drawn until Yeliyur sub-station in Mandya, reported The Hindu. This line is essential to establish the Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) trains between the cities.

Compensation of suitable nature will be paid to farmers who have been affected because of the power line. As per the agreement between Indian Railways and KPTCL, Rs 13.09 crore has been paid by the former in March 2017. Due to the lines being drawn over agricultural lands, farmers have been demanding rates which is more than the current value in the market.

Earlier when the railways took up the task of executing a project at Bidadi, they faced several difficulties since it is not their area of expertise to draw power transmission lines. The double line electrification process was commissioned several months ago in February, but the work had been stalled for the aforementioned reasons.

An official was quoted by The Hindu as saying, “Completion of the work within two months is technically feasible as only 23 towers have to be installed, with six already in place.”

The travel time will improve by 30 minutes post-introduction of the lines. The state government has invested Rs 510 crore in the project.

“The full benefits will accrue for regular commuters once the 220-kV lines are drawn, which will enable the Railways to introduce MEMU service on a regular basis,” the official explained.