SCR approves ₹13,506-cr for new rail lines

The Indian Railways has sanctioned ₹13,506 crore for various development works in the South Central Railway located in and around Vijayawada. A sum of ₹175 crore has been allotted for Vijayawada-Bhimavaram-Nidadavolu doubling and electrification. The doubling project was sanctioned way back in 2011-12 for a distance of 221 km at an estimated cost of Rs 1,504 crore. The SCR allocated ₹200 crore for Kotipalli-Narsapur new rail line project, which was cleared in 2000-01 for a distance of 57 km at a cost of ₹2,120 crore. The state government would bear 25 percent of the project cost; which includes construction of bridges. A sum of ₹2 crore was allotted for the Kadapa-Bengaluru new line, which was sanctioned in 2008-09 for a distance of 255 km at an estimated cost of ₹2,030 crore. Length in SCR under Andhra Pradesh jurisdiction is 205 km and the balance in SWR under Karnataka is 50.40 km. Apart from this, an amount of ₹350 crore has been allocated for Vijayawada-Gudur 3rd line, which secured clearance in 2015-16 for a distance of 287 km at an estimated cost of ₹3,246 crore. An amount of ₹280 crore was allotted for Guntur-Guntakal doubling project, sanctioned in 2016-17 for a distance of 443 km at an estimated cost of ₹3,631 crore. The expenditure incurred on this project during the past two years is ₹215 crore. Work under the sections between Nallapadu- Satalur and Pendekallu-Dhone with a length of 55 km is in full swing.