New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday approved a ₹1,264-crore railway multitracking project to add a third and fourth line on the Ballari-Guntakal section spanning Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
The project, to be completed by 2028-29, will add about 46 km to the Indian Railways network and is aimed at increasing line capacity, improving operational efficiency and easing congestion on one of the region’s key freight corridors.
According to the government, the project has been planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan to strengthen multimodal connectivity and improve the movement of passengers, goods and services through integrated infrastructure planning.
The rail expansion will cover three districts across Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and is expected to improve connectivity for nearly 99 villages with a combined population of around seven lakh.
The Centre said the enhanced rail infrastructure would also improve access to tourist destinations, including the Ballari Fort and Sri Kumara Swamy Temple, while supporting the transportation of key commodities such as iron ore, dolomite, limestone, iron and steel, coal, fertilisers and foodgrains.
The capacity augmentation is projected to facilitate an additional 16.22 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of freight traffic, the government said.
Highlighting the environmental benefits, the Centre said the project is expected to reduce annual oil imports by 1.32 crore litres and lower carbon dioxide emissions by 6.67 crore kg, equivalent to planting approximately 0.27 crore trees.
The government said the project is expected to enhance service reliability, improve freight movement and create employment and self-employment opportunities through infrastructure-led development in the region.
