Mysuru Airport: Track electrification stretch sees deadlock
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Mysuru Airport: Track electrification stretch sees deadlock

Even though the railway authorities have started the Final Location Survey (FLS) for track realignment, the deadlock over track electrification over a little section of around 1 km near the Mysuru Airport has not yet been addressed.

There are 60 km between Mysuru and Chamarajanagar, of which 59 km have been electrified. Nevertheless, a less than 1 km section close to the airport has not yet been electrified since the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has not granted authorization. Between Ashokapuram and Nanjangud is the non-electrified section. Until this section is fully electrified, the railways will not be able to run trains pulled by electric locomotives.

The DGCA has raised objections on technical grounds and was not given permission for drawing overhead electric cables as the railway track runs very close to the starting point of the runway and the vertical height between the landing flights and the overhead cables tends to be less. There are concerns that this could cause electromagnetic disturbance or interference to the navigational equipment of flights and jeopardise passenger safety.

Shilpi Agarwal, the Divisional Railway Manager of Mysuru Railway Division, stated that discussions were ongoing with the DGCA and Airport Authority of India. She mentioned that the railways had initiated a survey of the area to explore the potential for track realignment. Agarwal noted that the Final Location Survey had already commenced to determine the realignment of the existing track and estimated that the survey might require an additional two months to complete.

In addition to track realignment, the railway authorities were considering the feasibility of constructing a tunnel and going underground on the short stretch, which she described as a significant task. Agarwal indicated that they would assess the feasibility before making a decision, despite ongoing efforts to persuade the DGCA.

If the track needs to be rerouted, sufficient property must be obtained to allow for the diversion, which may raise further land acquisition concerns. Stakeholders had even proposed a thermal barrier to stop electromagnetic disruption from the overhead wires, but the proposal was rejected on technical grounds. The matter has been unresolved for more than two years.

The passengers will not profit from track electrification until the problem is fixed, and the project's costs will remain unnecessary. For this reason, the railway authorities have continued to run passenger trains on the Mysuru-Chamarjanagar line pulled by diesel engines.   
Redefine the future of urban mobility! Join us at the Metro Rail Conference 2025 to explore groundbreaking ideas and insights. 👉 Register today!

Even though the railway authorities have started the Final Location Survey (FLS) for track realignment, the deadlock over track electrification over a little section of around 1 km near the Mysuru Airport has not yet been addressed.There are 60 km between Mysuru and Chamarajanagar, of which 59 km have been electrified. Nevertheless, a less than 1 km section close to the airport has not yet been electrified since the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has not granted authorization. Between Ashokapuram and Nanjangud is the non-electrified section. Until this section is fully electrified, the railways will not be able to run trains pulled by electric locomotives.The DGCA has raised objections on technical grounds and was not given permission for drawing overhead electric cables as the railway track runs very close to the starting point of the runway and the vertical height between the landing flights and the overhead cables tends to be less. There are concerns that this could cause electromagnetic disturbance or interference to the navigational equipment of flights and jeopardise passenger safety.Shilpi Agarwal, the Divisional Railway Manager of Mysuru Railway Division, stated that discussions were ongoing with the DGCA and Airport Authority of India. She mentioned that the railways had initiated a survey of the area to explore the potential for track realignment. Agarwal noted that the Final Location Survey had already commenced to determine the realignment of the existing track and estimated that the survey might require an additional two months to complete.In addition to track realignment, the railway authorities were considering the feasibility of constructing a tunnel and going underground on the short stretch, which she described as a significant task. Agarwal indicated that they would assess the feasibility before making a decision, despite ongoing efforts to persuade the DGCA.If the track needs to be rerouted, sufficient property must be obtained to allow for the diversion, which may raise further land acquisition concerns. Stakeholders had even proposed a thermal barrier to stop electromagnetic disruption from the overhead wires, but the proposal was rejected on technical grounds. The matter has been unresolved for more than two years.The passengers will not profit from track electrification until the problem is fixed, and the project's costs will remain unnecessary. For this reason, the railway authorities have continued to run passenger trains on the Mysuru-Chamarjanagar line pulled by diesel engines.   

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Osaka Expo 2025 to Feature World’s Largest Wooden Structure

Osaka Expo 2025 will showcase the world’s largest wooden structure—a spectacular canopy encircling the 155-hectare exhibition grounds. Designed by architect Sou Fujimoto, the structure combines cutting-edge technology with Japan’s thousand-year tradition of wooden construction to create a futuristic yet sustainable landmark.“This is the biggest wooden construction in the world, so we used the latest technology alongside Japan's ancient craftsmanship to achieve a futuristic design,” Mr Fujimoto said. Rigorous testing ensured the strength of the beams and joints for the immense structu..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

India ranks 6th globally with 127 Net-zero firms

India has secured the sixth position globally in corporate climate action, with 127 companies committing to net-zero targets under the Science- Based Targets initiative (SBTi), according to the latest report from ICRA ESG Ratings.Although India contributes approximately 7 per cent of global emissions, its corporate commitments reflect a growing awareness of climate concerns. However, high-emission sectors such as power, energy, and cement are lagging in adopting these goals.The report reveals that fewer than 10 per cent of firms in these high-emission sectors, which contribute to 55 per cent o..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Power prices fall 31% amid renewable push

The average price of electricity traded on India’s power exchanges during October-November 2024 fell by 31 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs.3.61 per unit in the Day-Ahead Market (DAM), down from Rs.5.23 per unit in the same period last year. Similarly, Real-Time Market (RTM) prices dropped by 29 per cent to Rs.3.59 per unit, compared to Rs.5.04 per unit a year ago, as per industry data. The price drop was driven by a surge in renewable energy generation, particularly hydro and wind power, supported by favourable monsoon conditions. Improved fuel availability and government-led ini..

Hi There!

"Now get regular updates from CW Magazine on WhatsApp!

Join the CW WhatsApp channel for the latest news, industry events, expert insights, and project updates from the construction and infrastructure industry.

Click the link below to join"

+91 81086 03000