+
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.   

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 Energy

UERC Rejects Pleas Over Cancelled 200 MW Solar Awards

The Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) has rejected review petitions filed by 12 solar developers against the cancellation of Letters of Award (LoAs) issued under the state’s 200 MW Solar Programme.The scheme, launched by the Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) under the 2013 solar policy, aimed to help Uttarakhand Power Corporation Ltd (UPCL) meet its renewable purchase obligations through tariff-based competitive bidding.The projects—classified under the Type I category—had original commissioning deadlines in 2019–2020, later extended multiple ti..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Solarium Wins Rs 266 Million Rooftop Solar Orders

Solarium Green Energy has secured two significant work orders valued at a combined Rs 266 million for rooftop solar projects across various locations in the Northeastern States, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.The first order, worth approximately Rs 129.8 million, was awarded by NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN) for the development of a 3,319 kW rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) project. This was tendered under the NVVN’s “Selection and Discovery of L1 Rates for Rate Contract for EPC of Grid Connected Rooftop Solar PV Projects (51–200 kW) across India”. The project is scheduled ..

Next Story
Real Estate

Omaxe Secures Rs 5 Billion From Oaktree For Expansion

Omaxe Group has raised Rs 5 billion in funding from Oaktree Capital Management LP, a global investment firm specialising in alternative investments, to fuel the development of ongoing projects and support future growth plans.In a regulatory filing dated 28 July, the company confirmed that the funds will support construction and infrastructure development across key markets, including New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Ludhiana, and Faridabad. The capital will also be directed towards flagship projects such as Omaxe State in Dwarka, an upcoming integrated township in Amritsar, and a new township in Indor..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?