Cabinet clears Rs 1,264 crore Ballari-Guntakal rail line expansion, says MoS V Somanna

Synopsis

The Union Cabinet approved construction of new railway lines for Rs 1,264 crore. This project will add 46 km of railway lines across Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It will enhance passenger and freight movement, improving network capacity significantly. The project will improve connectivity for 99 villages, benefiting nearly seven lakh people. This investment supports the Centre's vision of Viksit Bharat by building world-class infrastructure.

The Union Cabinet on Friday approved the construction of the third and fourth railway lines on the Ballari-Guntakal section in Karnataka- Andhra Pradesh at an investment of Rs 1,264 crore under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V Somanna said.

The project will add 46 km of railway lines across three districts in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, enhancing both passenger and freight movement while improving network capacity.

Somanna, who represents Tumakuru in the Lok Sabha, said the project would improve connectivity for 99 villages, benefiting nearly seven lakh people.

The additional rail lines are expected to strengthen the movement of key commodities, including iron ore, limestone, steel, coal, fertilisers, sugarcane and foodgrains, improving logistics efficiency and supporting industrial activity in the region.

The minister said the project would also generate employment during construction and contribute to regional economic growth through better freight connectivity.

Describing the Cabinet approval as another milestone under the PM Gati Shakti initiative, Somanna said the investment would support the Centre's vision of Viksit Bharat by building world-class infrastructure and promoting inclusive development.