SCR opens Munumaka-Satulur electrified double line

 Vijayawada: South Central Railway (SCR) has commissioned the 16.6-km electrified double line between Munumaka-Satulur as part of the Guntur-Guntakal Doubling and Electrification Project.

SCR general manager Arun Kumar Jain said with completion of this stretch, the electrified double line from Guntur-Jaggambotla Krishnapuram and Dhone to Guntakal stands completed. Works in the balance Guntur-Guntakal Doubling and Electrification Project are in progress.

“Completion of doubling and electrification in these sections will not only decongest the section but also help increase average speed of trains,” the SCR GM explained.

The Guntur-Guntakal section is a vital rail link connecting Guntur city of Andhra Pradesh with Rayalaseema region and beyond. The line passes through Guntur, Prakasam, Palnadu, Nandyal and Kurnool districts, connecting the hinterland areas. Completion of Munumaka-Satulur section provides a continuous double line facility with electrification for 176 kms between Guntur-Jaggambotla Krishnapuram.

Arun Kumar Jain explained that Guntur-Guntakal Doubling and Electrification Project had been sanctioned in 2016–17 for a distance of 401 km at an estimated cost of Rs 3,887 crore. So far, doubling and electrification have been completed and commissioned between Nallapadu-Satulur (32 km), Munumaka-Jaggambotla Krishnapuram (122 km), Betamcherla-Malkapuram (23 km) and Dhone-Guntakal (68 km). With this, total 245 km of Guntur-Guntakal has been completed and commissioned.

The SCR GM said completion of Guntur-Guntakal doubling and electrification will facilitate introduction of new trains in the section and help operate trains bound towards eastern parts of the country like Visakhapatnam, Calcutta and beyond from the Rayalaseema region of southern Andhra Pradesh.

Arun Kumar complimented officials and staff involved in completion of the project, saying a major part of the Guntakal-Guntur project is now complete.