POTKAPALLI

- Part of Kazipet – Balharshah tripling & electrification project

South Central Railway has completed and commissioned third line works along with electrification between Bisugirsharif and Uppal for a distance of 20 Kms. This stretch is completed as part of Kazipet – Balharshah tripling & electrification project, which is o­ne of the significant projects in Telangana region. The section between Kazipet – Balharshah is a vital rail link situated along the Grand Trunk Route connecting Northern parts with Southern region of the country. With this, a total of 104 Kms in Kazipet - Balharshah section has now third line with electrification facility.

The section between Kazipet – Balharshah o­n SCR falls in both Telangana and Maharashtra states. This main line falling under the Grand Trunk route has been witnessing continuous growth of both Passenger and Freight traffic, leading to oversaturation of this section. To decongest this vital section, initially the tripling works between Raghavapuram – Mandamarri for a distance of 33 Kms have been completed in the year 2016. To further ease the traffic, tripling & electrification works o­n the balance stretch of Kazipet – Balharshah section, for a distance of 202 Kms (Telangana-159 Kms & Maharashtra-43 Kms) has been sanctioned in the year 2015-16 with an estimated cost of Rs 2,063 Crore. As part of it, 32 Kms between Potkapalli - Raghavapuram & 19 Kms between Wirur - Manikgarh has already been completed.

Now, out of 159 Kms stretch that falls in Telangana state, third line works between Bisugirsharif - Uppal for a distance of 20 Kms has been completed which falls under Karimnagar and Warangal districts, giving boost for the socio-economic development of this region. Commissioning of third line of this stretch will further ease the congestion for both freight and passenger trains in this grand trunk route.

Shri Arun Kumar Jain, General Manager Incharge, South Central Railway has complimented the entire Team of both Secunderabad Division and Construction Organisation, who have completed the tripling and electrification works. He stated that completion of Kazipet – Balharshah tripling project eases the congestion in this oversaturated route and facilitates handling of freight and passenger trains effectively. The execution of third line works of the entire project is being taken up simultaneously in different sections and the works in balance stretches are different stages of completion.

83 Kms of New Lines, 197 Kms Double Lines, 64 Kms Third Line works completed during the current financial year which is highest ever since inception of the Zone

The infrastructure addition of South Central Railway has scaled new heights in the current financial year 2021-22 with the record addition of 344 track Kms to the Zone’s rail network. The special thrust given for speedy completion of the o­ngoing projects, combined with the meticulous planning and effective implementation of the scheduled works has resulted in this stupendous achievement. The Construction and completion of 83 Kms of new lines, 197 Kms of Double lines and 64 Kms of Third lines, combined total to 344 Track Kms addition to the rail network during 2021-22 is the highest ever in any financial year, since inception of the Zone.

Going into the details, the sections completed as part of 83 Kms New Lines during the current financial year include – 40.2 Kms between Bhadrachalam - Bhavanapalem in the critical coal loading area, 12.2 Kms between Gajwel - Kodakandla, 17.3 Kms between Akanapet – Medak and 13.3 Kms between Magnur - Makthal.

The sections completed as part of 197 Kms of Double Lines include – 29.7 Kms between Umdanagar - Shadnagar, 25.7 Kms between Gollapalli - Mahabubnagar, 17 Kms between Vijayawada - Uppaluru, 48.2 Kms between Narsapur - Bhimavaram - Aravalli, 23.9 Kms between Gundlakamma - Donakonda, 22.5 Kms between Edduladoddi - Maddikera, 26.4 Kms between Kalluru - Gooty, 2.1 Kms Bypass line at Motumari and 1.5 Kms Vijayawada Bulb line.

The sections completed as part of 64 Kms of Third Line during the current fiscal include - 7.8 Kms between Kolnur - Potkapalli, 19.2 Kms between Wirur- Manikgarh, 37 Kms between Kavali - Thalamanchi.

Shri Sanjeev Kishore, General Manager, SCR has complimented the entire railway officials at both the Zonal and Divisional levels including Construction Wing, RVNL and RITES officials for their extraordinary contribution which helped the Zone to achieve the record infrastructure addition. He attributed the credit to each and every employee of the Zone who worked very hard with dedication. The excellent coordination between the various departments was praised by the General Manager and stated that this boosts morale of the staff, while adding critical infrastructure links which will enhance train operations for the benefit of passengers.