In a significant move to increase rail connectivity, the Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs has approved “Doubling of Motumari – Vishnupuram” (88.81.kms) and Rail Over Rail at Motumari (10.87 kms)”. Both the projects have been approved at an estimated cost of nearly Rs. 1,746.20 crore. The Project falling in the States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh is likely to boost the socioeconomic development of the region.
More Details:
The Union Cabinet approved 6 multi tracking projects across Indian Railways to facilitate ease of travelling, minimise logistics cost, reduce oil imports and lower CO2 emissions. This is one of the approved projects which will help in decongesting this vital section by improving line capacity. It will in turn help in increasing the average speed of the trains benefiting both Passenger and Freight Trains movements i.e., by improving punctuality of passenger trains and reducing the Wagon Turnaround time.
Doubling of Motumari – Vishnupuramm Section and Rail Over Rail at Motumari Station:
Motumari – Vishnupuram section, stretching for a distance of 88.81 Km, connects the Kazipet – Vijayawada High Density Network with Secunderabd – Guntur Highly Utilised Network. The Project passes through Khammam, Suryapet & Nalgonda Districts of Telangana and Vijayawada District of Andhra Pradesh. Nearly, 95 Mandals in the above districts are directly served by this Project. It is a vital rail link connecting Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and beyond with the States of Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra etc.
This critical rail line is also the shortest route connecting Secunderabad with Vijayawada. As such, doubling of this critical section helps improve train mobility between Secunderabad and Vijayawada by serving as an alternate route between Secunderabad and Vijayawada. This will not only improve train movement in this section, but also reduce the other saturated route via Kazipet, Warangal and Khammam.
In addition, this region has several industries which generate employment for the people. Some of the industrial present in the region along with several industrial clusters served by the line includes:
- Iron & Steel industries at Chityala & Narkatpally.
- Cement Plants at Vishnupuram, Janpahad, Mellacheruvu, Muttampalli, Jaggayyapeta, Ramapuram etc.,
- Yadadri Thermal Power Plant (4,000 MW) near Vishnupuram.
- Food Grains (FCI) siding at Nagireddipalli, Nalgonda, Miryalaguda etc.,
- Industrial clusters at : Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Vishnupuram, Narkatpally etc.,
- More than 100 Warehouses & Cold storages around Hyderabad & Vijayawada Clusters
Significance of the Project:
- Currently, Goods movement in the section has been affected due to the limited line capacity i.e., due to a single line.
- The doubling of this rail line will also facilitate faster transportation of agricultural products, cement, coal and other local products, seamless movement of people within Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and with other parts of the country.
- It will also reduce the journey time of the various trains running between Secunderabad and Vijayawada stations.
- Further, over the past few years, the freight traffic from eastern parts of India to the western parts of India has been steadily increasing.
- As such, doubling of this rail link will be beneficial in handling higher traffic and reduce detention by improving train speed and section capacity.
- The Rail Over Rail at Motumari Station, stretching for a distance of 10.87 kms, will avoid cross movement of trains moving between Vishnupuram and Dornakal / Bhadrachalam Road / Kazipet.
- This will avoid detention of trains and facilitate seamless movement of trains in the section.
Conclusion:
Recently, the CCEA approved 6 multi tracking projects to enhance rail connectivity in different parts of the country, this doubling of Motumari – Vishnupuram Section and Rail Over Rail at Motumari is one of the approved projects. It will increase the capacity of the section, paving the way for introduction and operation of more trains in the region.
Source: SCR- Press Release | Image Credit (representational): MoR
