South Central Railway has given a special focus on the last mile connectivity projects and has successfully completed and commissioned the entire doubling project with electrification between Vijayawada – Gudivada – Bhimavaram – Narsapur; Gudivada – Machilipatnam & Bhimavaram – Nidadavolu for a distance of 221 Kms.
More details:
- The final stretch of electrification between Aravalli – Nidadavolu for 32.8 Kms has been completed on 13th Oct, 2022 marking the completion of the project. This enables the operation of train services running through this route with electric traction on an end to end basis.
- Vijayawada – Gudivada – Bhimavaram – Narsapur, Gudivada – Machilipatnam & Narsapur – Nidadavolu Doubling and Electrification project was sanctioned in the year 2011-12 for a distance of 221 Kms at an estimated cost of Rs. 3,000 Crore, and has been executed by RVNL (Rail Vikas Nigam Limited).
- The electrification of this entire section, which has been sanctioned as part of this project includes both the existing single line and double line, which has been taken up and completed successfully. This is a prestigious project in the coastal belt of Andhra Pradesh and boosts the development of the region. The total project has been completed in five phases:
- Phase-I – Vijayawada – Moturu
- Phase-II – Moturu – Bhimavaram Town
- Phase-III – Bhimavaram Town – Nidadavolu
- Phase-IV – Gudivada – Machilipatnam
- Phase-V – Bhimavaram – Narsapur
Benefits:
- This infrastructure development project will significantly strengthen Rail transport infrastructure by providing seamless movement of freight and passenger traffic on rails.
- The new double rail line will increase mobility and serve public aspirations with regard to rail transportation.
- This double line helps in facilitating the introduction of more number of passenger train services.
- Economy of the hinterland will see leverage with a boost in transport of Agriculture and Aqua products.
- The electrification works will help in saving energy and reducing fuel expenditure besides reducing carbon footprint.
- This line also serves as the viable alternate railway line for the coastal rail corridor between Vijayawada – Visakhapatnam.
Shri Arun Kumar Jain, General Manager (Incharge), SCR has expressed his utmost satisfaction on completion of this super critical project and he congratulated the officials of Zonal Headquarters team, Vijayawada Division & RVNL for completing the project works with sincerity and dedication. He stated that completion of the entire project & its commissioning marks another milestone in rail developments in Coastal belt of Andhra Pradesh.
Source: South Central Railway -Press release | Images Credit: South Central Railway
