Ahmedabad: The electrification work of the newly constructed 55.672-km broad gauge railway section between Himmatnagar and Khedbrahma has been completed with a 25 kV, 50 Hz AC electric traction system. The section has now been authorized for the operation of electric locomotives for both passenger and freight services.

The Himmatnagar–Khedbrahma metre gauge rail traffic had remained closed since January 1, 2017. Later, the gauge conversion project covering over 55 km in Sabarkantha district was approved on June 2, 2022, at a cost of ₹482 crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the project on June 18, 2022. The work has been completed in a record time of about three years.

Western Railway’s Principal Chief Electrical Engineer (PCEE), Rajnish Kumar Goyal, authorized the section for electric locomotive operations on January 28, 2026. All technical works, including overhead equipment (OHE), traction substations, sectioning and paralleling posts, bonding and earthing arrangements, and integration with signalling and telecommunication systems, have been completed.

Electric locomotives were successfully trialled on the section on January 8, 2026, and the functionality of the OHE, power supply systems, turnouts, crossovers, and safety mechanisms was verified during inspections by senior railway officials.

The electrification is expected to bring significant benefits such as fuel savings, environmental protection, enhanced freight capacity, improved speed and acceleration of passenger trains, and reduced operating costs. The project will modernize rail operations in the region, promoting safe, efficient, and green rail transport while providing better services to passengers and faster freight movement. DeshGujarat