Doubling Guntakal–Kalluru and Electrification Projects
Strengthening Infrastructure Facilities to Improve Mobility with Guntakal – Kalluru Doubling & Electrification Works
The vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for a “New India and New Railways” and the transformation policies adopted by Hon’ble Minister for Railways, Shri Piyush Goyal to provide highest preference for strengthening the infrastructural facilities to improve the mobility of train operations accorded top priority to the Guntakal-Kalluru Doubling and Electrification project. The dream of Rayalaseema people to have better rail connectivity and more trains will be fulfilled with the completion of this project in the current financial year. Shri Rajen Gohain, Hon’ble Minister of State for Railways dedicated the Electrification of Guntakal-Kalluru section and double line between Gulapalyamu – Khadarpet section to the Nation recently. The doubling and electrification of the balance stretches between Guntakal – Gulapalyamu & Khadarpet-Kalluru for a distance of 17.36 Kms are under fast progress and targeted to be completed in the current financial year i.e., 31st March, 2019.
The Guntakal – Kalluru Doubling & Electrification project is an important by-pass rail line for a distance of 41 Kms connecting the main line in which trains from Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad are run towards Bengaluru. So far the doubling and electrification works between Gulapalyamu-Khadarpet for a distance of 23 Kms have been completed and commissioned. The project was sanctioned in the year 2015-16 with an estimated cost of Rs. 357 Crore. The expenditure incurred on this project from 2016-17 to 2018-19 (till date) is Rs. 210 Crore.
The section between Guntakal and Kalluru is lying like bye-pass line to Guntakal from Bengaluru. It is a bottle neck presently with single line but is the most accessible shortest route to many important cities of southern states, from where railway lines going towards Hyderabad, Raichur, Bellary, Hubli, Goa and the National capital New Delhi. Many important trains linking Bangalore with other cities, including the Rajdhani Express (Delhi), Basava Express (Bagalkot), Hampi Express (Hubli), Gorakhpur Express and Garibrath Express (Delhi) and other non-daily trains operate on this route connecting from Bengaluru to North, East & Western parts of India via Guntakal station.
The freight traffic mainly contains iron ore, cement, steel, etc. There are number of cement factories in the neighboring districts of Kadapa, Kurnool, Bellary & Gulbarga which are feeding the cement traffic on this route. The Bellary and Anantapur districts are rich in iron ore reserves. Jindal Integrated Steel Plant is also situated in Bellary district. Iron ore and other bulk commodities such as cement, steel etc., are being moved on this route to North and South directions.
Potential and prospects:
The double line i.e Guntakal – Kalluru section is passing through drought affected Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh. This double line which is connecting Guntakal, Dharmavaram and Bangalore without touching Gooty will enhance the passenger services and mobility of the people residing in the region, which acts as a catalyst for the socio-economic progress of the people.
Presently there are 15 pairs of passenger trains (including non- daily) are running in the section and doubling and electrification will provide facilities to increase the number of train services.
Doubling of this line is very crucial in order to run more number of goods trains in a seamless manner.