The Vijayawada and Gudur section of the Grand Trunk route, which connects the Northern and Eastern parts of the country with Southern states, has completed the 24.8 km stretch third railway line works between Talamanchi and Sri Venkateswarapalem.

It may be recalled that work on the third line, as well as electrification, was undertaken to relieve congestion on the Vijayawada and Gudur sections.

The SCR section between Vijayawada and Gudur is extremely congested due to the steady increase in passenger and freight train traffic. The Vijayawada–Gudur third line project was approved in 2015-16 for a total length of 288 km for Rs 3,246 crore.

The work is being carried out by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) in three packages: 75 km between Gudur and Bitragunta, 89 km between Bitragunta and Karavadi, and 124 km between Karavadi and Krishna Canal (Vijayawada).

In all three packages, work has been carried out at the same time. The work between Ulavapadu and Kavali, which stretches for 30 km, was completed in March 2021 as part of the second package. The section between Talamanchi and Bitragunta – Sri Venkateswarapalem has now been completed for a total distance of 24.8 km. This critical project has been completed for a total distance of 54.8 km. The entire team of both Vijayawada division and RVNL officials who completed the tripling and electrification works have been commended by Gajanan Mallya, General Manager, South Central Railway.

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