The Double line works along with electrification between Nallapadu - Perecherla for a distance of 7.8 Kms has been completed & Commissioned, as apart of the Guntur - Guntakal Doubling &Electrification Project works.
Guntur - Guntakal Section is vital rail link connecting the coastal belt of Andhra Pradesh State with Rayalaseema region and beyond south. At present, the trains are being operated on single line which has become congested and facing lot of constraints. In order to provide seamless transportation, Electrification of single line between Guntur - Guntakal was successfully completed in 2018-19.With a view to ease the congestion on this section, sanction has been accorded for construction of Double line along with electrification. Accordingly, Guntur - Guntakal Doubling & Electrification project was sanctioned in the year 2016-17 with an estimated cost of Rs 3887 crore for a distance of 404 Km.
As a part of execution of Guntur – Guntakal Doubling & Electrification works, doubling & electrification between Perecherla – Satulur (24 kms) and Dhone – Pendekallu (28 Kms) has been completed in February and March 2020 respectively. Now, with the completion of another 7.8 Kms length between Perecherla - Nallapadu, a total of 59.8 Kms length doubling works with electrification has been completed on the Guntur – Guntakal section. The completion of this 7.8 Kms stretch fromNallpadu – Perecherla will provide double line connectivity from Guntur to Satulur along with electrification.Doubling & electrification works in the remaining sections of Guntur – Guntakal Doubling & Electrification project are in fast progress.
Keeping the importance of this project, Shri Gajanan Mallya, General Manager, SCR has been regularly reviewing the progress of works and conducting frequent meetings with all the railway officials. As this section involves construction of several minor and major bridges apart from passing through thick Nallamalla forest area, the Zone is making meticulous plans to execute the works on war footing.
The Benefits of the Project are –
1. Will substantially enhance the potential for running more number of passenger carrying and freight trains between Guntur-Guntakal there by leading to the possibility of handling more rail services from Hyderabad/Nadikude side towards Rayalaseema region and beyond down South.
2. The enhanced connectivity will help in improving the Socio-economic condition of the people of Guntur, Prakasam, Kurnool and Anantapur districts in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
3. This improved connectivity will substantially increase freight transportation by harnessing the potential of mineral rich Palnadu Region to transport its produce/goods to any part of the country.
4. Since this line is providing additional direct connectivity to Karnataka State and its capital city area, Doubling of this section enhances overall train handling capacity in the Guntur/Vijayawada region, with the possibility of diverting more trains via Guntur to balance the rail traffic and the reduce the congestion on the grand trunk route.
Shri Gajanan Mallya, General Manager, SCR congratulated all the Officials and staff involved in the completion of the project. He stated that the doubling and electrification project of Guntur - Guntakal section is major project being carried out by the Zone and the completion of entire stretch will ease the congestion and paves the way for smooth operation of train services.