Krishnapatnam Port-Obulavaripalli New Railway Line Project: Salient Features

Krishnapatnam Port-Obulavaripalli New Railway Line Project: Salient Features

Enhancing Infrastructure Facilities to Serve the Nation -Krishnapatnam Port- Venkatachalam- Obulavaripalle New Railway Line Project on the Path of Progress

Krishnapatnam port is one of the important ports served by South Central Railway. one of the major chunk of South Central Railway’s freight loading is generated from Krishnapatnam Port. Railway line from Krishnapatnam port is connected to Vijayawada-Gudur mainline at Venkatachalam station. The Venkatachalam – Obulavaripalle new line connectivity will provide shortest path between Chennai-Howrah and Chennai-Mumbai rail routes.

Krishnapatnam Port-Venkatachalam-Obulavaripalle new railway line project provides vital rail connectivity between two major rail routes and reduces distance by 72 kms for the trains coming from Guntakal Division to Krishnapatnam and reduces traffic density in Obulavaripalle – Renigunta – Gudur section. At present, the new line between Venkatachalam Road Jn.-Vellikallu (60 km) and Cherlopalli-Obulavaripalli (22 km), i.e., a total length of 82 km. has been completed, including electrification works. Tunnel works are in progress for a small stretch of around 7 kms between Cherlopalli – Vellikallu. once this work is completed, the entire Krishnapatnam-Venkatachalam-Obulavaripalle new line project will be made operational.

The new line will eases congestion of both passenger carrying and freight carrying trains in Vijayawada – Gudur – Renigunta – Guntakal sections. Significant growth in the freight traffic is expected after completion of the new line. The new line helps these hinterland areas for socio-economic growth. once passenger services start in this new line, it will provide safe and economic mode of transport for the people of this area.

Presently, Vijayawada – Gudur main line is a busy and over-saturated section, with continuous movement of passenger and freight trains. There was a huge demand from the rail customers loading from Krishnapatnam Port to decongest the section for seamless movement of freight trains towards Mumbai and West coast area. This project was sanctioned in the year 2005-06. The entire project is located in the state of Andhra Pradesh and traverse through the districts of Nellore and Kadapa. The new railway line project is executed through Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) viz., Krishnapatnam Railway Company Limited (KRCL) consisting of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, Krishnapatnam Port, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Sagar Mala Development Corporation, NMDC and Brahmani Steels.

Salient features of the project

• Length of new Railway line from Obulavaripalli to Venkatachalam – 93 km.
• Length of railway line completed from Venkatachalam to Vellikallu and Cherlopalli to Obulavaripalli – 82 km.
• Estimated Cost of the project from Venkatachalam to Obulavaripalli: Rs.1,656 cr.
• Major Bridges: 23 Nos.
• Minor Bridges: 123 Nos.
• Subways: 60 Nos.
• Stations between Venkatachalam and Obulavaripalli are – Kasumuru, Kottundipalli, Bramhanapalli, Adurpalli, Nellepalli, Rapuru, Vellikallu, Cherlopalli, Nethivaripalli and Mangampet Road.
• One tunnel for a length of 1 Km is completed and construction of one major tunnel between Cherilopalli and Vellikallu for a length of 7 Kms is under fast progress.

Passenger Amenities at all Railway stations from Krishnapatnam to Rapuru:

• At present, Krishnapatnam – Venkatachalam railway line is catering to the needs of the freight customers. To improve the freight traffic and to reduce the congestion on main lines, the line is further extended up to Obulavaripalli station located on Chennai-Mumbai route.
• In addition to serving the freight customer needs, South central Railway has taken up the task of running passenger services also on this route, to give an added advantage to the general public of this region and to provide additional traveling facility for the people.
• Provision of various passenger amenities at all the Railway stations from Krishnapatnam to Rapuru are in progress.
• The Railway stations enroute are Nidiguntapalem, Venkatachalam Road Jn, Choutupalyam Halt, Kasumuru, Kottundapalle, Aduripalle and Rapuru.
• The estimated cost for provision of passenger amenities is Rs 60 crores.