GAJJELAKONDA

- Part of Guntur - Guntakal Doubling & Electrification Project

The infrastructure development works across South Central Railway have been progressing o­n fast pace and various sections have been commissioned as part of doubling, tripling & electrification projects during the current financial year. Moving in the same direction, doubling with electrification between Gajjelakonda - Tarlupadu for a distance of 25 Kms has been completed & commissioned by the Zone. The section has been commissioned as part of the Guntur - Guntakal Doubling & Electrification Project.

The Guntur - Guntakal Section is vital rail link connecting the coastal belt of Andhra Pradesh State with Rayalaseema region and beyond South. This line passes through Guntur, Prakasham, Palnadu, Nandyal and Kurnool Districts connecting the hinterland areas. Guntur - Guntakal Doubling & Electrification project, with a view to provide seamless transportation and ease the congestion o­n this section, was sanctioned in the year 2016-17, for a distance of 405 Kms with an estimated cost of Rs 3887 Crores. So far, doubling & electrification between Nallapadu – Satulur (32 kms), Maddikera – Pendekallu - Dhone (58 Kms) and Gajjelakonda - Gundlakamma (37 Kms) has already been completed and commissioned.

Now, with the completion of another 25 Kms between Gajjelakonda - Tarlupadu, a total of 152 Kms stretch of doubling works with electrification has been completed o­n the Guntur – Guntakal section. The works in the balance sections of the project are in fast progress.

As part of Doubling & Electrification works, yard remodelling and new signalling arrangements have been done at Gajjelakonda with Electronic Interlocking (EI) system consisting of 51 routes, at Markapur Road with EI system consisting of 42 routes and at Tarlupadu with EI system consisting of 40 routes. The double line section is permitted to operate the trains with the maximum speed of 90 Kmph.

Shri Arun Kumar Jain, General Manager (in-charge), SCR complimented the Officials and staff of Construction Organisation & Guntur Division who are involved in the completion of the project. He stated that o­nce the entire project is completed, it increases overall train handling capacity of the section and improves the potential of running more number of train services through this section.

- Part of Guntur - Guntakal Doubling & Electrification Project

The Double line works along with electrification between Edduladoddi – Maddikera for a distance of 22.55 Kms has been completed and commissioned yesterday i.e., 22nd February, 2022, as part of the Guntur - Guntakal Doubling & Electrification Project. The new double section has been commissioned with a maximum permissible speed of 90 Kmph.

The Guntur - Guntakal Section is vital rail link connecting the coastal belt of Andhra Pradesh State with Rayalaseema region and beyond south. In order to provide seamless transportation and ease the congestion o­n this section, Guntur - Guntakal Doubling & Electrification project was sanctioned in the year 2016-17 for a distance of 401 kms with a cost of Rs. 3,631 Crore. This project will enhance the connectivity and will help in improving the Socio-economic condition of the region, particularly for the people of Guntur, Prakasam, Kurnool and Anantapur districts.

As part of this project, doubling & electrification between Nallapadu – Satulur (32 kms) and Dhone – Pendekallu - Edduladoddi (36.6 Kms) and Kurichedu - Gajjelakonda (25.35 kms) totalling to 94 Kms has already been commissioned. Now, with completion of another 22.55 Kms between Edduladoddi – Maddikera stations, a total of 116.5 Kms of doubling works along with electrification has been completed o­n the Guntur – Guntakal section.

The Benefits of the Project are –

1. Potential for running more number of trains between Guntur-Guntakal, particularly from Hyderabad/Nadikude side towards Rayalaseema region and beyond down South.

2. Doubling of this section enhances overall train handling capacity in the Guntur/Vijayawada region, with the possibility of diverting more trains via Guntur to balance the rail traffic and reduce the congestion o­n the Grand Trunk route.

3. Improves freight transportation by harnessing the potential of mineral rich Palnadu Region to transport its produce/goods to any part of the country.

Shri Sanjeev Kishore, General Manager, SCR congratulated all the Officials and staff involved in the completion of the project. He stated that the Guntur – Guntakal doubling and electrification project is o­ne of the major projects undertaken by the zone which will help to ease the congestion and facilitate smooth operation of train services.