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PM Modi-led CCEA has approved doubling the Tirupati–Pakala–Katpadi railway line to boost rail connectivity in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
The 104-km-long project will be completed at an estimated cost of ₹1,332 crore and will expand the Indian Railways network by approximately 113 km.
Cabinet Approves Project To Improve Efficiency And Ease Congestion
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the upgraded line will improve mobility, efficiency, and reliability for Indian Railways.
The project will involve multi-tracking one of the busiest railway sections, which currently faces heavy congestion.
“The project aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a new, self-reliant India. It will generate employment and self-employment opportunities while upgrading critical railway infrastructure,” Vaishnaw said.
Connecting Pilgrimage Hubs And Rural Communities
The upgraded section will improve connectivity to key pilgrimage sites, including Tirumala, Sri Kalahasti, Kanipakam, and Chandragiri.
It will benefit about 400 villages and positively impact nearly 14 lakh people across three districts in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Supporting Trade And Environmental Goals
The minister emphasized the project’s economic and environmental benefits.
“This railway corridor is vital for transporting key commodities like coal, cement, agricultural goods, and minerals,” Vaishnaw noted.
The doubling of the line will increase freight capacity by an estimated 4 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
As an eco-friendly and energy-efficient mode of transport, Indian Railways will help India move closer to its climate targets.
The project will reduce oil imports by 4 crore liters and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20 crore kilograms—an impact equivalent to planting one crore trees.
The railway line doubling falls under the PM-Gati Shakti Master Plan, aimed at creating seamless multi-modal connectivity across the country.
It marks a significant step in improving logistics, lowering transport costs, and boosting regional development.
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