Andhra Pradesh for port linkage in rail budget

Guntur: Andhra Pradesh has focused on port connectivity and multi-mode transport linkage in proposals submitted to the Centre in the ensuing Railway Budget.

State government sought completion of four pending projects, including the rail linkage to Krishnapatnam port and construction of three railway bridges on Gouthami, Vasishta and Vainateya.

Several new lines were sought for port connectivity to Nizampatnam and Machilipatnam. Former IRTS official and minister Ravela Kishore says Rayalaseema is also one of the focus areas.

Speaking to this newspaper in Guntur Mr Kishore said, “We want a European model of MMTS to be implemented here. This system includes road, airways, sea route and rail inter linkage. For any industry to come up, transport integration is vital. AP asked the railways to replace 22-year-old passenger trains with MEMU. The proposed Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) trains are faster and there is no need of shunting. In Rayalas-eema the government has proposed four to five lines that pass through Kuppam represented by AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. New lines proposed by the state include Nars-apur to Bapatla via Machilipatnam and Rep-alle,” Mr Kishore said.

A Rs 2,500 crore project of doubling the Guntur to Bengaluru line has been sought. Another line from Nadikudi to Srikalahsti at Rs 2,013 crore has been sought. Four pending projects include Yerragon-dapalem to Nandyal, which was taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 830 crore and for its completion Rs 100 crore is needed to be allocated in this budget. The other connects Krishnapatnam port to Obulavaripalli.

Obulavaripalli is surrounded by several power projects and iron ore units. This also needs Rs 850 crore. A special purpose vehicle was floated for this with AP, Centre, NMDC and RVNL as partners. There is a delay in execution of this project due to technical reasons after Brahmani Steels went out of it. The plant has been taken up by SAIL, said Mr Kishore.

The project of constructing bridges from Kakinada to Narsapur on three rivers is not yet completed. From Kotipalli to Narsapur around Rs 1,500 crore has been sanctioned for construction of three bridges. Another line is from Pithapuram to Kakinada mainline over a 21-km stretch with an estimated cost of Rs 220 crore for which Rs 100 crore has to be spent in this budget.