"South Central Railway (SCR) Completes 16.7-km Chirala-Bapatla Third Line"

In a significant milestone for rail connectivity, the South Central Railway (SCR) has officially announced the completion and commissioning of a 16.7-kilometer third line between Chirala and Bapatla stations. This new line is an integral component of the larger Vijayawada-Gudur tripling and electrification project.

With this accomplishment, a total of 189 kilometers of various stretches within the Vijayawada-Gudur corridor now possess both electrification and a third line. The completion of this additional track is expected to substantially alleviate congestion on the overburdened route and enhance train operations, particularly in the Prakasam and Bapatla districts of Andhra Pradesh.

The Vijayawada-Gudur section holds particular significance as it forms a crucial part of the grand trunk route linking the northern and eastern regions of India with the southern states. Over time, this route had grown increasingly congested due to the rising number of passenger and freight trains traversing it.

To address this congestion issue, a third line for the section was sanctioned during the 2015-16 period, covering a distance of 288 kilometers and involving an estimated cost of ₹3,246 crore. The responsible entity for executing this project is Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), which initiated work concurrently across multiple stretches.

General Manager Arun Kumar Jain revealed that the completion of the 45-kilometer Chirala-Karavadi section, the 127-kilometer Gudur-Singarayakonda segment, and the latest 16.7-kilometer stretch connecting Chirala and Bapatla represents significant progress in enhancing rail connectivity in the region. This achievement reflects the commitment of SCR and its partners to improving rail infrastructure and the efficiency of railway operations in the area.

THE HINDU