Andhra Pradesh's Capital Amaravati To Get New Railway Line With Rs 2,245-Crore Investment

In a significant development for Andhra Pradesh’s capital, the Union Cabinet approved a new 57 kilometre railway line for Amaravati.

Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the decision was finalised at a meeting in New Delhi on Thursday (24 October). With a planned investment of Rs 2,245 crore over four years, the project will also include a 3.2-km railway bridge across the Krishna River, facilitating seamless access to major cities such as Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Nagpur, and extending links to Delhi and Mumbai.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav described that the railway line as a “dream project” for Amaravati. Vaishnav elaborated that the line will start at Yerrupalem on the Vijayawada-Kazipet route and connect with the Namburu station, running parallel to the Howrah-Chennai line.

“After exploring various alignments, we chose one that benefits Amaravati and Andhra Pradesh in the long term,” he explained. The project is expected to generate 19 lakh human workdays and help avoid six crore kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions.

Vaishnav also emphasised that Amaravati’s connectivity will extend beyond key cities, linking to Andhra Pradesh’s coastal ports, including Machilipatnam, Krishnapatnam, Visakhapatnam, and Kakinada, reports Indian Express.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu welcomed the decision, noting that the new line will link Amaravati to the capital cities of multiple states. Naidu also advocated for the proposed bridge over the Krishna River to be designed as an iconic structure. He urged Vaishnav to expedite the project’s completion within three years, one year ahead of schedule, highlighting its transformative impact.

Naidu commended the Railway Minister’s swift efforts in advancing the Amaravati project, noting that the Cabinet’s timely approval marks a milestone for Andhra Pradesh.

PM Modi to Lay Foundation for Vizag Railway Zone

Chief Minister Naidu also announced that Prime Minister Modi would lay the foundation stone for the long-awaited Vizag Railway Zone in November or December. “Railway modernisation projects worth Rs 70,000 crore are underway in the State,” Naidu noted, adding that the State’s pending matching grant will be released promptly.

He reiterated that Andhra Pradesh would fully support land acquisition and other necessary preparations for the Amaravati railway project.