South Central Railway has been giving top priority for enhancement of rail network infrastructure across its jurisdiction. Special thrust is being given towards decongesting the existing saturated routes like the Grand Trunk route to ease the rail traffic.
- Accordingly, Doubling & Third line works are being executed on war footing for enhancing the train operations.
- As part of it, third line works between Kavali – Sri Venkateswarapalem for a distance of 12.2 Kms have been completed along with electrification, as part of Vijayawada – Gudur Tripling & Electrification Project.
- Situated in the Grand Trunk route along the Coastal region of Andhra Pradesh, the section between Vijayawada – Gudur on SCR plays a vital role in connecting the Northern and Eastern parts of the country with the Southern states.
- This route has become highly congested with the steady increase in of both Passenger and Freight trains.
- To decongest this crucial section, the Vijayawada – Gudur Third line project was sanctioned in the year 2015-16 for a distance of 288 Kms at an approximate cost of Rs 3246 crores.
- The work is being executed by RVNL in three packages:
- Gudur – Bitragunta – 75 Kms
- Bitragunta – Karavadi – 89 Kms
- Karavadi – Krishna Canal (Vijayawada)- 124 Kms
- Works have been taken up simultaneously in all the three packages.
- In the second package, the section between Ulavapadu – Kavali for a distance of 29 Kms has already been completed in March, 2021.
- The section between Talamanchi – Bitragunta – Sri Venkateswarapalem, for a distance of 24.8 Kms was completed and commissioned in December, 2021.
- Now, with the completion of tripling works between Sri Venkateswarapalem and Kavali for a distance of 12.2 Kms, a continuous stretch of 66 Kms of third line between Ulavapadu – Talamanchi stands commissioned, along with electrification.
Shri Sanjeev Kishore, General Manager, South Central Railway has complimented the entire Team of both Vijayawada Division and RVNL officials, who have completed the tripling and electrification works. He stated that third line works between Vijayawada – Gudur are being taken up on top priority and the works are in fast progress in all the stretches simultaneously. Tripling along with electrification of this section eases the congestion in this oversaturated route and facilitates seamless connectivity towards southern States with Northern and North Eastern parts of the country, He added.
Source: South Central Railway- Press Release | Image Credit (representational): MoR
