Cabinet Approves Rs 12.64 bn Rail Project In Karnataka And Andhra Pradesh

30 Jul 2026 CW Team

The Union Cabinet has approved a Rs 12.64 billion (bn) railway project to lay third and fourth lines on the Ballari–Guntakal route to boost capacity and ease congestion on a key corridor. The project was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister and is expected to be completed by 2028-29.

The work will add around 46 km of new track across three districts in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, improving network resilience and operational flexibility. The additional lines will allow Indian Railways to run more services while reducing delays for both passengers and freight along the corridor.

The scheme is expected to improve connectivity for 99 villages with a combined population of nearly zero point seven million (mn) people, easing daily commutes and access to services. It is also intended to make travel simpler for tourists and pilgrims visiting Ballari Fort and the Sri Kumara Swamy Temple.

The Ballari–Guntakal section serves as a key freight corridor for minerals and industrial goods such as iron ore, dolomite, limestone, iron and steel, coal, fertilisers and food grains. The additional lines are expected to enable carriage of an estimated 16.22 million tonnes (mn t) per year of extra freight, which should reduce delays and strengthen supply chains.

A shift of freight from road to rail is projected to yield environmental gains, with forecasts suggesting savings of 13.2 million litres of fuel and reductions of 66.7 million kilograms (kg), about 66.7 mn kg, equivalent to planting nearly 2.7 million (mn) trees. The project therefore aims to boost capacity, ease congestion and support regional economic activity.

Infrastructure Urban

30 Jul 2026

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