Nellore: Though it is more than a decade since land acquisition commenced for the most-sought-after railway line between Nadikudi and Srikalahasti, the exercise is yet to be completed, especially in SPSR Nellore district. This is largely due to delay on part of the AP government to release payments for lands identified for acquisition as part of the project.
As a result, the project cost had shot up from ₹2,288 crore to nearly ₹4,000 crore by 2021 itself.
Nadikudi-Srikalahasti new line project had been included in the Indian Railways Pink Book during the 2011–12 financial year. As per the agreement, AP government has to offer land for laying the line free of cost and bear 50 per cent of the project cost. Accordingly, state government had to deposit its share of ₹1,555 crore of which it has deposited only ₹6 crore. From 2016 to May this year, AP government has made no payments. Land is yet to be acquired in Prakasam, Nellore and Tirupati districts.
The 308-km-long Nadikudi-Srikalahasti railway line will be a boon for backward areas of Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore districts. In addition, it would decongest the busy Chennai-Howrah and Chennai-New Delhi railway lines passing through the coastal region. Further, Nadikudi-Srikalahasti line will be a dependable alternative in times of cyclones.
Apart from transporting passengers, it would facilitate freight through the mineral-rich belt. Once completed, the project will be the shortest route between Guntur and the temple town of Tirupati.
The first 47-km section of Nadikudi-Srikalahasti line between Piduguralla and Savalyapuram has already been completed and commissioned along with electrification. With the completion and commissioning of a 27-km stretch between Gundlakamma and Darsi in Prakasam district last year, a continuous 122-km rail corridor between Nadikudi and Darsi is now ready for train operations.
Important Points:
The project is being executed in 5 phases:
Phase-I: Piduguralla – Savalyapuram (47 km)
Phase-II: Gundlakamma – Darsi (27 Km)
Phase-III: Darsi – Kanigiri (52 Km) & Venkatagiri – Atluripadu (15 Km)
Phase-IV: Kanigiri – Pamuru (35 Km) & Atluripadu – Venkatapuram (43 km)
Phase-V: Pamuru – Obulayapalle – Venkatapuram (90 km)
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