AP Given Top Priority in Railway Infrastructure, Minister Says

30 Jul 2026 CW Team

Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Andhra Pradesh is being given top priority for railway infrastructure, with increased funding and accelerated projects. He told Rajya Sabha that the state's average annual railway allocation rose from Rs 8.86 bn (billion) during 2009-14 to Rs 101.34 bn in the 2026-27 financial year. He added that the pace of railway line construction had doubled, from an average of 73 km a year during 2009-14 to 147 km annually during 2014-26.

As on April 1, 2026, the Centre had sanctioned 42 railway projects in the state, comprising 12 new lines and 30 doubling projects covering a total length of 4,768 km at an estimated cost of Rs 778.55 bn. Of these, 1,465 km had been commissioned up to March 2026, with expenditure of Rs 278.51 bn.

The minister said the Centre was prioritising safety by eliminating level crossings and that 838 road overbridges and road underbridges had been constructed in the state between 2014 and May 2026. As on June 1, 2026, 301 sanctioned ROB and RUB projects worth Rs 116.86 bn were at various stages of planning and execution. For the current financial year Rs 19.40 bn had been allocated for ROB and RUB works in the railway zones covering Andhra Pradesh, of which Rs 6.74 bn had been spent up to June 2026.

He confirmed that the South Coast Railway Zone had become fully operational from June 1, 2026. Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme 74 stations in the state had been selected for redevelopment and modernisation works had been completed at Cumbum, Eluru, Kakinada Town Junction, Mangalagiri, Nidadavolu Junction, Rayanapadu, Sullurpeta and Tuni. Redevelopment works were progressing at major stations such as Tirupati, Nellore, Kurnool City, Kuppam and Hindupur. For passenger amenities Rs 31.34 bn had been allocated to the railway zones serving Andhra Pradesh during the current financial year, of which Rs 13.61 bn had been spent up to June 2026.

Infrastructure Urban

30 Jul 2026

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