Karnataka: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of third and fourth railway lines on the Ballari-Guntakal section in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. With an estimated cost of approximately ₹1,264 crore, the project aims to enhance rail capacity, improve logistics efficiency, and strengthen regional connectivity.
Launched under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, this project aims to enhance rail capacity, improve freight transportation, and strengthen multi-modal connectivity. Spanning three districts, this expansion will add approximately 46 kilometers to the Indian Railways network and improve connectivity for around 99 villages with a combined population of nearly seven lakh. Increasing capacity will improve rail connectivity to several major tourist destinations across the country, such as Ballari Fort, Sri Kumaraswamy Temple, and others.
The upgraded corridor is expected to facilitate the transport of essential commodities such as iron ore, coal, limestone, fertilizers, food grains, and steel. The capacity enhancement works will generate an additional freight traffic of 16.22 MTPA (million tonnes per annum).
This project will also improve access to tourist attractions such as Ballari Fort and the Sri Kumara swamy Temple. According to the government, the expansion of the rail network is expected to reduce logistics costs, save approximately 1.32 crore liters of fuel annually, and cut carbon emissions by around 6.67 crore kilograms, thereby helping the country meet its environmental goals.
The Central Government stated that this project aligns with its broader vision of enhancing modern transport infrastructure while creating new opportunities for employment and self-employment, thereby contributing to the socio-economic development of the region.
(PIB)
