Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced in the Lok Sabha that surveys have been sanctioned to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for several new railway lines aimed at improving connectivity across Andhra Pradesh.

Approved survey routes include Machilipatnam–Narsapur (74 km), Repalle–Bapatla (46 km), a fourth line between Gudur and Vijayawada (293 km), and the Vijayawada bypass from Indupalli to Duggirala (49 km). In addition, a new 45.3-kilometre railway line between Machilipatnam and Repalle has been proposed to provide a shorter and more direct link between the two towns.

The Ministry of Railways confirmed movement on the long-awaited Machilipatnam–Repalle link, a project sought for years by residents of Diviseema and Avanigadda. Responding to a question from Machilipatnam MP Vallabhaneni Balashowry, Vaishnaw said that survey work for preparing the DPR is currently under way. He added that although Machilipatnam and Repalle are already connected via Vijayawada Junction, the recently completed doubling of the Machilipatnam–Gudivada–Vijayawada line would further enhance connectivity to Machilipatnam Port.

Vaishnaw also stated that as of 1 April 2025, Andhra Pradesh has 39 sanctioned rail projects—12 new lines and 27 doubling works—covering 4,498 kilometres at a total estimated cost of Rs 702.31 billion. Of this, 1,179 kilometres have been commissioned, with Rs 280.39 billion spent up to March 2025.