General manager of SWR Mukul Saran Mathur inspecting the parade during the Republic Day celebrations in Hubballi on Monday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
General Manager of South Western Railway (SWR) Mukul Saran Mathur has siad that in the first three quarters of the financial year 2025–2026m the railway zone had achieved a gross revenue of ₹6,939 crore.
General manager of South Western Railway (SWR) Mukul Saran Mathur has said that in the first three quarters of 2025–2026, the zone had achieved a gross revenue of ₹6,939 crore.
Delivering the Republic Day address after unfurling the national flag at the zonal headquarters in Hubballi on Monday, he said that SWR had registered passenger revenue of ₹2,543 crore and freight revenue of ₹3,976 crore.
Mr. Mathur said SWR emerged as the top-performing zonal railway in incremental originating freight loading and revenue, achieving 38 million tonnes with 18.5% growth. In December 2025 it recorded the highest-ever monthly loading of 5.1 million tonnes, with freight revenue of ₹502 crore. Hubballi division also set a record with 3.8 million tonnes of monthly loading, registering 31% growth, he said.
During April–December 2025, SWR made significant progress in capacity augmentation, commissioning 26 km of doubling works and securing sanction for major projects including Ballari–Chikjajur and Toranagallu–Ranjithpura.
Under various work heads, 190 projects worth ₹1,107 crore were sanctioned, and 109 projects costing ₹2,264 crore were shortlisted, including several RoB/RuB works.
He also said that operational efficiency improved with speed enhancements. Sectional speed was raised to 110 kmph over 360 track km, loop line speed increased to 30 kmph, and the Hassan–Mangaluru section speed was enhanced to 80 kmph. A total of 20 permanent speed restrictions were removed, and 21 were relaxed, along with fencing on high-speed routes and upgradation of 240 km track to 25-tonne axle load.
Electrification gained momentum with the commissioning of four traction sub-stations and the electrification of 207 track km, taking the total electrified network to 3,340 route km (nearly 90%). Electric traction was extended to 163 pairs of trains, and 48 electric locomotives were added, raising the fleet to 326. Conversion of 30 pairs of trains from diesel to electric saved about ₹39 crore in fuel.
He added that operational performance remained strong, with 90% ranking fourth nationally. The zone operated 224 Mail and Express, 148 Passenger, and 4 leased PCET trains. 125 trains were sped up, saving 3,335 minutes. Passenger services expanded with 10 new trains, including two Vande Bharat services, regularisation of 10 special trains, extension of 16 trains, and upgradation of 8 trains to Superfast.
SWR’s sustainability drive added 722 kWp additional solar capacity, raising the total to 7.6 MWp, generating 48 lakh units and saving ₹3 crore. Solar capacity is expected to reach 20 MWp, yielding annual savings of ₹25 crore. Energy savings of ₹171 crore were achieved through open access, while HOG locomotives saved ₹124 crore in fuel.
Additional General Manager of SWR P Ananth, DRM of Hubballi Division Bela Meena, President of the SWRWWO, Dr Sanjeela Mathur and other senior officials were present. Students of railway school enthralled audience with their lively cultural programmes. A show was held by the dog squad.
Published – January 26, 2026 11:52 pm IST
