The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved two major projects for the South Central Railway. These projects will double the Mudkhed-Medchal and Mahbubnagar-Dhone and Guntur-Bibinagar sections. The approval of these projects will allow for the introduction of new trains and additional freight transportation, benefiting the Telugu States. It will also promote socio-economic development by stimulating economic growth and providing smoother transportation for goods and people.
The first project, the doubling of the Mudkhed-Dhone section, covers a distance of 417.88 km and is estimated to cost Rs. 4686.09 crore. The Ministry of Railways proposed this project, which has been approved by the CCEA. The second project is the doubling of the Guntur-Bibinagar section, covering a distance of 239.00 km. This project is estimated to cost Rs. 2,853.23 crore and was proposed by the ministry. During the construction of this project, it is expected to generate direct employment for approximately 75 lakh men, according to SCR General Manager Arun Kumar Jain.
The doubling of the Mudkhed-Dhone section will alleviate traffic congestion between Balharshah-Kazipet-Secunderabad and Kazipet-Vijayawada. Goods traffic bound for North-South can be rerouted through this new double line section, providing an alternative coal and steel route for Balharshah, Ramagundam, Secunderabad, Wadi, and Guntakal. This will help decongest the busy route and enhance traffic between the southern and northern regions of India.
