Vijayawada: The cabinet committee on economic affairs has approved the doubling of Tirupati–Pakala–Katpadi single railway line section (104km) in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu at a cost of about Rs 1,332 crore. The project covering three districts in the two states will increase the existing network of Indian railways by about 113 km.
“The enhanced line capacity will improve mobility, providing enhanced efficiency and service reliability for railways. The multi-tracking proposal will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing the much-required infrastructural development on the busiest sections. The project is in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of a new India which will make people of the region atmanirbhar, enhance their employment/self-employment opportunities,” railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.
Along with connectivity to Venkateswara temple in Tirumala, the project section also provides rail connectivity to other destinations like Srikalahasti temple, Kanipakam Vinayaka temple, and Chandragiri fort, which attract pilgrims and tourists from across the country. The multi-tracking project will enhance connectivity to about 400 villages and benefit about 14 lakh population. “This is an essential route for transportation of commodities such as coal, agricultural commodities, cement and other minerals, etc. The capacity augmentation work will facilitate the transportation of 4 million tonnes of freight per year,” Vaishnaw added.
The Union govt also gave approval for a greenfield highway between Amaravati and Hyderabad. The decision was taken during the recent high-level meeting conducted by the Union home ministry with senior officials of depts concerned to discuss pending state bifurcation issues. According to the State Reorganisation Act, the Union govt shall develop a greenfield highway connecting the new capital of Andhra Pradesh with Hyderabad. The govt instructed officials of roads and surface transport dept to prepare a detailed project report. The meeting also discussed other issues like funds allocation to backward districts in AP, Visakhapatnam railway zone, and oil refinery works. Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vaishnav for approving funds for the projects.
