Rs 2,419 crore boost for Telangana as Centre clears Secunderabad-Kazipet rail expansion
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved 4-laningof the Secunderabad (Ghatkesar) – Kazipet railway line with a total cost of Rs 2,419 crore. The proposed time period to complete the project is four years.
The route length is 110 km, with 17 major bridges and 151 minor bridges. It covers Medchal – Malkajgiri, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Jangaon and Warangal districts in Telangana. The approved capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations in the state, including Yadagirigutta Temple, Bhongir Fort, Surendrapuri, Swarnagiri Temple and others.
Briefing the cabinet decisions, Railway and Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the existingtwo-line section is already saturated (120 percent) and is projected to increase further to 151 percent, in case the proposed project is not taken up.
The Minister further stated that it supports cement clusters at Motumari – Vishnupuram and Wadi – Tandur and iron ore movement from Balharshah, Manikgarh and Gadchiroli to Karnataka’s steel industries. It lies in the vicinity of Singareni Coal Mines and Western Coal Fields and is a critical link for transporting coal to thermal power plants, he explained.
The Minister explained: ‘The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. These multi-tracking proposals are poised to streamline operations and alleviate congestion. The projects are in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of a New India, which will make people of the region “Atmanirbhar” by way of comprehensive development in the area, which will enhance their employment/self-employment opportunities.’
