Rs 1,332 Crore Tirupati-Pakala-Katpadi Rail Line Doubling Project Gets Union Cabinet Nod—All About It

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, on Wednesday (9 April) approved the doubling of the Tirupati–Pakala–Katpadi single railway line, spanning 104 km across Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

The project, estimated to cost around Rs 1,332 crore, is poised to ease congestion and streamline operations along one of the busiest corridors in the Indian Railways network.

“The multi-tracking proposal will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing the much-required infrastructural development on the busiest sections across Indian Railways,” the Ministry of Railways stated.

Aligned with the vision of PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity, the project will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services.

The project covering three Districts in two states — Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu — will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 113 Km.

Along with connectivity to Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, the project section also provides rail connectivity to other prominent destinations such as Sri Kalahasti Shiva Temple, Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple, Chandragiri Fort, etc. attracting pilgrims and tourists from across the country.

The project will benefit nearly 400 villages and a population of about 14 lakh.

"This is an essential route for transportation of commodities such as coal, agricultural commodities, cement and other minerals etc. The capacity augmentation work will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 4 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum)," the ministry stated.

The project will also benefit the environment with reduced oil import (4 Crore Litres) and lowered CO2 emissions (20 Crore Kg) which is equivalent to plantation of one crore trees.

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