Trains on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru/Karwar sector will soon run entirely on electric traction. Currently, this 55 km Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road Ghat section still operates diesel locomotives. Electrification here is nearly done, says Mudit Mittal, Mysuru Divisional Railway Manager of South Western Railway (SWR). Tracks from Mangaluru to Subrahmanya Road and from Sakleshpur to other key routes like Chikkabanawara and Mysuru are already electrified. Some trains like the KSR Bengaluru-Kannur Express switch to electric at Mangaluru Central. But the Panchaganga Express runs fully on diesel due to lack of loco change facilities. The 198-day line block on Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road, starting May 31, will end on December 16. This will allow the return of day train services on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru/Karwar sector. Though electrification work by RITES is almost complete, some finishing touches are pending. "After completion, the line will be charged, tested, inspected by the Commissioner of Railway Safety, and authorized to run electric trains," said Mr. Mittal. He hopes the full process will finish by January. Also, the Railway Ministry has asked SWR to prepare the track between Chikkabanawara and Mangaluru for Vande Bharat Express trains. The zone is upgrading the track and systems for this semi-high speed service, added the DRM.