The long-awaited Adilabad–Nirmal–Armoor railway line is set to become a reality, as the Union Ministry of Railways is expected to approve the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the 317-km route from Adilabad to Patancheru within the next two months.

In its first phase, a 137-km section connecting Adilabad, Nirmal and Armoor will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 30 billion. The Centre will fund the project entirely, highlighting its priority status for regional infrastructure development.

Adilabad MP G Nagesh confirmed that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has instructed officials to expedite DPR clearance, recognising the backwardness of the region. Work will soon begin on the technical aspects, with designs for tunnels at Mahabub Ghats and high-level bridges across the Godavari River near Nirmal and Kupti already completed.

Listed among the Indian Railways’ top five priority routes in 2023, the project gathered pace after tenders were floated for a Final Location Survey (FLS) of the Nizamabad–Adilabad route via Nirmal and Armoor. Local residents have long campaigned for this line to improve connectivity in northern Telangana.

The new line will directly connect Adilabad to Hyderabad at Patancheru, linking previously unconnected districts like Adilabad and Nirmal to the broader rail network. It is expected to drive industrial growth and support the agricultural economy across north Telangana’s underdeveloped regions.

Currently, rail travellers from Adilabad must take a 435-km route via Maharashtra to reach Hyderabad, while the road distance is only 300 km. The proposed railway will cut travel distance by 120 km, significantly improving convenience and economic potential for the region.