Indian Railways Taking Up 3rd, 4th Lines Along Dense Routes
The corridor is considered strategically important for freight movement between southern and western parts of the country
TIRUPATI: Indian Railways has initiated steps for construction of third and fourth railway lines on the busy Renigunta-Guntakal section, a long-pending project aimed at easing congestion within the Mumbai-Chennai railway corridor and improving rail connectivity to the pilgrim city of Tirupati.
The proposed project covers the 308-km stretch between Renigunta and Guntakal, one of the country’s busiest railway corridors handling both passenger and freight traffic. At present, the section operates with two railway lines despite a steady increase in train movements over the years.
South Central Railway (SCR) chief public relations officer (CPRO) A. Sridhar said the double line Guntakal-Renigunta route has already reached full capacity due to heavy movement of passenger and freight trains. “Hence, SCR has proposed construction of third and fourth railway lines in this section," he pointed out.
The demand for expansion of the section has remained pending for nearly two decades, with congestion on the route continuing to increase. According to railway officials, around 150 passenger and express trains and 40 freight trains operate daily on the section. On average, a train passes through the corridor every 7.5 minutes, though railway safety standards prescribe a minimum gap of 15 minutes between trains.
Such heavy traffic load often results in trains being detained outside stations and at crossing points for long durations, affecting punctuality and operational efficiency. The additional lines would help decongest the route, improve safety and facilitate smoother train operations.
As part of the initial phase, the Railways initiated land acquisition proceedings under Section 2(37A) of the Railways Act, 1989. The process will be taken up in Tirupati, Annamayya, YSR Kadapa, and Anantapur districts through which the railway line passes.
CPRO Sridhar said the final location survey for the project has been sanctioned and the detailed project report submitted to the Railway Board. Once approved, the project would provide a major boost to the socio-economic development of the Rayalaseema region, while improving both passenger and freight capacity.
The corridor is considered strategically important for freight movement between southern and western parts of the country. Officials said transportation of cement, clinker, steel, coal, and iron ore would improve significantly after completion of the project, as several cement factories, steel plants, and thermal power stations are located along the route.
Sridhar pointed out that the project would strengthen port connectivity to Krishnapatnam through the newly developed Obulavaripalli-Venkatachalam railway line. The additional railway lines would create scope for introduction of more trains to Tirupati from various parts of the country, besides improving freight movement on the Mumbai-Chennai corridor.
