Cabinet Greenlights Ballari-Guntakal Rail Project to Enhance Freight and Passenger Connectivity
The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹1,264 crore railway project to add a third and fourth rail line on the Ballari-Guntakal section, which spans Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. This initiative aims to alleviate congestion, enhance freight movement, and strengthen connectivity along a crucial economic corridor. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sanctioned the project as part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, designed to improve multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency.
Project to Add 46 km to Rail Network
The multi-tracking project will extend the Indian Railways network by approximately 46 kilometers, with a completion target set for 2028-29. It will cover three districts in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, improving connectivity for nearly 99 villages with a total population of around seven lakh. The government stated that the additional rail capacity would facilitate smoother movement of both passengers and goods through integrated planning under the PM Gati Shakti framework.
Freight Movement, Tourism to Get a Boost
The Ballari-Guntakal route serves as a significant freight corridor for transporting various commodities, including iron ore, dolomite, limestone, coal, fertilizers, and food grains. The capacity expansion is projected to generate an additional freight traffic of 16.22 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). Furthermore, the project is expected to enhance rail access to tourist attractions such as Ballari Fort and Sri Kumara Swamy Temple.
Lower Logistics Costs, Reduced Emissions
The government indicated that the project would improve operational efficiency and service reliability while alleviating congestion on the current route. The enhanced rail capacity is anticipated to support India’s climate goals by decreasing reliance on road transport. It is estimated to save 1.32 crore liters of oil and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 6.67 crore kilograms, equivalent to the environmental benefit of planting 0.27 crore trees. The government emphasized that the increased line capacity would significantly enhance mobility and streamline operations for Indian Railways.
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