Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the railway infrastructure development arm under the Ministry of Railways, has secured a significant Letter of Award (LoA) valued at Rs 143.37 crore from Southern Railway. 

This crucial contract involves the upgradation of the electric traction system within the Salem Division in Tamil Nadu, marking another stride in modernizing India's railway network.

The project's primary objective is to enhance the capacity of the electric traction system from the existing 1x25 kV to a more robust 2x25 kV system. This upgrade will cover key routes including: Salem Junction (SA) – Podanur Junction (PTJ) and  Irugur (IGU) – Coimbatore Junction (CBE) – Podanur Junction (PTJ).

These sections are strategically important for freight logistics in Southern India, facilitating the movement of heavy goods across industrial hubs. The shift to a 2x25 kV system allows for higher power transmission, better voltage regulation, and the ability to handle longer and heavier freight trains, thus improving operational efficiency and reliability.

The project is slated for completion within a tight timeframe of 24 months. RVNL's successful bid for this contract is a testament to its expertise in railway electrification and infrastructure development.