South Western Railway (SWR) celebrated the 77th Republic Day at the Railway Sports Ground" Club Road, Hubballi. Shri Mukul Saran Mathur, General Manager, SWR, unfurled the national flag, inspected the parade, and received the General Salutes from the Parade.

In his address, Shri Mukul Saran Mathur highlighted the remarkable achievements of South Western Railway during the first three quarters of the financial year 2025-26.

Major Highlights:

• Record Financial Performance: SWR recorded Gross Revenue of ₹6,939 crore (16% growth), with Passenger Revenue reaching an all-time high of ₹2,543 crore and Freight Revenue touching a record ₹3,976 crore, the highest ever up to December.
• Freight Leadership: Incremental originating freight loading and revenue, achieving 38 million tonnes (18.5% growth), with December 2025 marking the highest-ever monthly loading of 5.1 million tonnes.
• Infrastructure & Capacity Expansion: Commissioning of 26 Km doubling works, authorization for 20 Km new line sections, and Dedication of 56 Km Talkal - Kushtagi section, major bridges and sanction of key capacity augmentation projects.
• Electrification & Sustainability: Nearly 90% network electrified, commissioned 722 kWp of additional solar capacity, raising the total to 7.6 MWp.
• Passenger Services & Safety: 90% punctuality, operated 481 special trains and attached 614 extra coaches, seedingup 125 trains, introduction of 10 new trains.

 In his address he said that SWR achieved a gross revenue of ₹6,939 crore, with passenger revenue amounting to ₹2,543 crore, and freight revenue standing at ₹3,976 crore. Sundry Revenue increased to ₹167 crore, reflecting a 21% growth, and Parcel Revenue touched a record ₹129 crore. To meet heightened passenger demand during festival seasons, SWR operated 481 special trains and attached 614 extra coaches, generating an additional ₹232 crore in revenue.

Shri Mukul Saran Mathur elaborated that SWR emerged as the top-performing Zonal Railway in incremental originating freight loading and revenue, achieving 38 million tonnes of freight with 18.5% growth, and recording its highest-ever monthly loading of 5.1 million tonnes and ₹502 crore freight revenue in December 2025; Hubballi Division also set a new record with 3.8 million tonnes of monthly loading, registering 31% growth.

During April–December 2025, SWR made significant progress in capacity augmentation and infrastructure development, commissioning 26 km of doubling works, and securing sanction for major doubling projects including Ballari–Chikjajur and Toranagallu–Ranjithpura. Under various Umbrella Works and Plan Heads, 190 works worth ₹1,107 crore were sanctioned and 109 works costing ₹2,264 crore were shortlisted, including 11 ROB/RUB works sanctioned at ₹155 crore and 27 ROB/RUB works shortlisted at ₹378 crore.

He also said that Operational efficiency improved through speed enhancements, with sectional speed raised to 110 kmph over 360 track kilometres, loop line speed increased to 30 kmph, and Hassan–Mangaluru section speed enhanced to 80 kmph (except ghat section). A total of 20 Permanent Speed Restrictions were removed and 21 PSRs were relaxed and fencing o­n high-speed routes and upgradation of 240 km of track to 25-tonne axle load.

Electrification and energy efficiency witnessed strong momentum with the commissioning of 4 traction substations and electrification of 207 track kilometres, taking the total electrified network to 3,340 route kilometres (nearly 90%). Electric traction was extended to 163 pairs of trains, 48 electric locomotives were commissioned raising the fleet to 326, and 30 pairs of trains were converted from diesel to electric traction, resulting in fuel savings of about ₹39 crore.

He also mentioned that Operational performance remained robust with 90% punctuality in Mail and Express trains, securing 4th rank at the all-India level. The Zone operated 224 Mail and Express, 148 Passenger, and 4 leased PCET trains, while 125 trains were sped up under WTT-22, yielding cumulative time savings of 3,335 minutes. Passenger services expanded with the introduction of 10 new trains including 2 Vande Bharat services, regularisation of 10 special trains, extension of 16 trains and upgradation of 8 trains to Superfast.

Passenger safety and amenities were enhanced with the sanction of the KAVACH Train Collision Avoidance System over 3,692 route kilometres, commissioning of 4 ROBs, 5 RUBs, 7 FOBs, 1 subway and 15 high-level platforms, closure of 5 level crossing gates, and foundation stones laid for 13 ROBs. Divyangjan accessibility was implemented at 126 stations.

SWR strengthened its sustainability initiatives by commissioning 722 kWp of additional solar capacity, raising the total to 7.6 MWp, generating 48 lakh units and saving ₹3 crore. With solar capacity expected to reach 20 MWp, yielding annual savings of ₹25 crore. Energy savings of ₹171 crore were achieved through open access at 36 traction substations, while HOG locomotives o­n 116 trains saved 16,762 kilolitres of HSD worth ₹124 crore.

Passenger security was reinforced through proactive RPF initiatives, with 487 children and 54 vulnerable adults rescued under Operation Nanhe Fariste, prosecution of 206 touts, recovery of tickets worth ₹5.7 lakh, stolen property worth ₹15 lakh, registration of 82 NDPS cases and seizure of 603 kg of contraband. Meri Saheli supported 3.3 lakh lone women passengers, while 2,179 CCTV cameras enhanced surveillance at 164 stations.

The Republic Day celebrations included a Dog Squad Show, cultural programs. The event was attended by Additional General Manager Shri P Ananth, DRM Hubballi Smt. Bela Meena, Principal Heads of Departments, and other dignitaries. Smt. Dr Sanjeela Mathur, President of the SWRWWO, along with other members was also present. South Western Railway remains steadfast in its commitment to enhancing infrastructure, safety, and passenger experience in contributing to the nation’s progress.

Source/SWR