Vijayawada division to execute rail work

Vijayawada: In the next couple of years, Vijayawada divisional railway is going to take up and execute works worth Rs 12,500 crore, with focus on new lines in coastal areas, completing the pending projects and electrical connectivity works. Many works are pending in the division. Keeping in view the increasing traffic, the officials came to a conclusion that they should be completed within two years, so that they can handle the huge traffic.

To establish railway connectivity to the Capital city of Amaravati, the railway officials proposed new lines worth Rs 3,300 crore to the board. The works relating to connectivity to Amaravati will begin next year so that they can meet the demand of floating public visiting the Capital city. The connectivity of ports — Krishnapatnam, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada to Rayalaseema region — will improve once the new track from Krishnapatnam to Obulavaripalle is laid. The new line will improve transport of goods from the coastal belt to Rayalaseema. Works relating to a new line from Nadikudi to Srikalahasti will also be expedited.

By completing this line, Kanigiri, Markapuram ad Podili areas will get better railway connectivity. The budget allocated for this line is Rs 2,300 crore. Doubling work would be taken up between Guntur and Guntakal with an expenditure of Rs 3,700 crore. The railway officials are conducting review meetings regularly and by monitoring the works keenly, they want to complete the projects in the stipulated time. The Vijayawada division, having 161 stations, will be a big and developed division once these works are completed.