Nadikudi Srikalahasti Railway Line Land Acquisition Status
Nadikudi – Srikalahasti New Railway Line -New Hope for Development
The Nadikudi-Sirkalahasti new railway line project is being undertaken by South Central Railway to meet the aspirations of the people of Andhra Pradesh, particularly to those hailing from backward regions of Guntur, Prakasham and Nellore Districts, which were hitherto unconnected on the rail map.The project, is sanctioned in the year 2011-2012 at an estimated cost of Rs. 2289 Crores for a distance of 309 kilometers, is destined to herald a new dawn of economic prosperity and development in the region, on the strength of a reliable rail route, which will open up new avenues of mobility. The initiative of the railways has met the co-operation of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, with the Indian Railways and the State Govt. bearing 50% of the project cost, each. In addition, the State Govt. has given land free of cost for the new rail line.
The Nadikudi-Srikalahasti rail line project will serve as a key link between the cities Guntur and Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, being the shortest route between these two urban hubs. The line will enormously boost the potential for transportation of freight from the industrial belt of Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh to different parts of the state and beyond, besides generating a viable passenger transportation mode. The project connects Secunderabad-Guntur Branch line at Nadikudi of Guntur district and Gudur-Renigunta main line at Srikalahasti Chittoor district, and is expected to serve over 20 lakh people in the three districts of Andhra Pradesh. The Railways foresee traffic of around 10 lakh rail passengers utilizing the rail services once the project is commissioned.
A very vital aspect of the project is that it will serve as a alternate rail route to decongest the busy Chennai-Howrah corridor rail line between Chennai-Vijayawada. This Chennai-Howrah line passing through the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh is vulnerable to the vagaries of nature, particularly the cyclones and floods, resulting in serious traffic disruptions. Therefore, the potential of the Nadikudi – Srikalahasti new Railway Line is immense, since any such disruption can be overcome by running the trains on this alternate route, to the present coastal rail line. This line will also serve hinterlands and the backward interior areas of Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore Districts of Andhra Pradesh. Yet another gain is in terms of this new railway line providing connectivity to the interiors of the three Districts of Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore with Amaravati, the fledgling capital of the state, offering an economical and fast transport option. In terms of the freight traffic, it is expected that the rich mineral source belt of the region will gain a lot in terms of enabling transpiration of mineral resources to the market areas within the state and outside.
This new railway line connects Piduguralla, Savalyapuram, Vinukonda, Gundlakamma, Venkatagiri existing stations and Piduguralla New, Nekarikallu, Rompicherla, , Dekanakonda, Darsi, Podili, Goutuvaripallu, Kanigiri, Ballipalle, Pamuru, Gollavaripalle, Vinjamur, Atmakur, Obulayapalli, Venkatapuram, Aduripalli, Rapur, Vallampalle, Alturpadu new stations.
Highlights of the Nadikudi-Srikalahasti new railway line project:
- The project was sanctioned in the year 2011-12 for a distance of 309 Kms with an estimated cost of Rs.2289 Cr.(cost sanctioned on 30.08.16). 50% of the project cost would be shared by the Govt. of AP with land free of cost.
- The expenditure incurred on this project till date is Rs. 404crore.
- Total allocation for the year 2018-19 is Rs. 420 crore (Railway 220 Cr+State Govt 200 Cr).
- Budget allocation by Railways from 2014-15 to 2018-19 is Rs. 414 crore and the expenditure is Rs. 375 crore.
- Expenditure during the current fiscal upto November is Rs. 137 crore.
The project is being executed in 4 phases.
Phase-I: Piduguralla – Savalyapuram(45.50 km)
Phase-II: Gundlakamma – Darsi&Venkatagiri – Alturipadu (41.95 km)
Phase-III: Darsi – Kanigiri&Alturipadu – Venkatapuram (95.55 km)
Phase-IV: Kanigiri – Obulayapalle – Venkatapuram (126.16 km)
Phase-I, Section from New Piduguralla –Rompicherla (28.50 Km) and from Rompicherla -Savalyapuram (17 Km) is targeted for completion during 2018-19 financial year.
- Laying of the new line involves construction of –
160 bridges (1 important bridge, 84 major bridges and 248 minor bridges).
28 ROBs and 144 RUBs
37 new railway stations (26 crossing stations and 11 halts)
- Total land required from Andhra Pradesh State government is 5,189 acres. Till date 1,499 acres is handed over for the project. The districts involved are Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore.
- A stretch of 0.20 Km length (at the beginning of the section) is affected due to court case by farmers is pending in Hon’ble High court.
- Possession of land given by State Government between Rompicherla-Savalyapuram for 17 Kms. Earthwork, minor & major bridges are in progress. Papers for land acquisition in the remaining length of project were already submitted to State Govt.
- This new line project is being monitored during PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation) meetings, a multi-purpose and multi-modal platform launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister. The platform is aimed at addressing common man’s grievances, and simultaneously monitoring and reviewing important programmes and projects of the Government of India as well as projects flagged by State Governments.
Source: http://www.scr.indianrailways.gov.in
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