The Union cabinet on Friday approved a Rs 1,264-crore railway project to add a third and fourth rail line on the Ballari-Guntakal section across Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, aiming to ease congestion, improve freight movement and strengthen connectivity along a key economic corridor.The project was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and forms part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan to enhance multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency.Announcing the decision, Union railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the Ballari-Guntakal section is a vital economic corridor connecting Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.“The Cabinet has taken two big decisions. First, approval has been given for the third and fourth line on the Ballari-Guntakal rail section, which falls on the important economic corridor between Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The project will be done with an investment of Rs 1,264 crore,” Vaishnaw said.He added that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed Hospet-Hubballi railway line is also under preparation.
Project to add 46 km to rail network
The multi-tracking project will increase the Indian Railways network by around 46 kilometres and is scheduled for completion by 2028-29.The project spans three districts across Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and is expected to improve connectivity for nearly 99 villages with a combined population of around seven lakh.The government said the additional rail capacity will facilitate smoother movement of passengers as well as goods through integrated planning under the PM Gati Shakti framework.
Freight movement, tourism to get a boost
The Ballari-Guntakal route is a major freight corridor used for transporting commodities such as iron ore, dolomite, limestone, iron and steel, coal, fertilisers and food grains, according to the government.The capacity expansion is expected to generate an additional freight traffic of 16.22 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).The project is also expected to improve rail access to tourist destinations, including Ballari Fort and Sri Kumara Swamy Temple.
Lower logistics costs, reduced emissions
The government said the project would improve operational efficiency and service reliability while helping reduce congestion on the existing route.The enhanced rail capacity is also expected to contribute to India’s climate goals by reducing dependence on road transport. The project is estimated to save 1.32 crore litres of oil and cut 6.67 crore kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to planting 0.27 crore trees.“The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. This multi-tracking proposal is poised to streamline operations and alleviate congestion,” the government said.It added that the project aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ by promoting regional development and creating greater employment and self-employment opportunities.
