Cabinet Approves ₹9,889-Crore Rail Project for Andhra Pradesh
The Union Cabinet has approved the ₹9,889-crore Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu)-Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) third and fourth railway line project, giving a major boost to infrastructure development in Andhra Pradesh. The 198-km expansion will ease congestion on one of the busiest rail corridors along India’s eastern coast. The project, part of the Howrah-Chennai High Density Network, is scheduled for completion by 2030-31.
“The approval marks a major step in strengthening Andhra Pradesh’s transport infrastructure and supporting future economic growth,” officials said.
The new lines will address a long-standing capacity problem on the route, where freight and passenger trains currently operate on a heavily burdened double-line network. Line utilisation has already reached nearly 130%, causing delays and limiting future traffic growth.
“This corridor has been operating under severe pressure for years. The additional lines will create much-needed capacity for both cargo and passenger movement,” railway sources said.
The rail section passes through East Godavari, Konaseema, Kakinada, Anakapalle, and Visakhapatnam districts, linking agricultural regions, industrial zones, and export centres. It will also strengthen connectivity to Visakhapatnam Port, Gangavaram Port, Kakinada Port, and Machilipatnam Port.
“The project will improve connectivity between production centres and ports, making logistics faster and more efficient for industries and exporters,” experts said.
The corridor is vital for transporting coal, cement, fertilisers, foodgrains, containers, iron and steel, bauxite, gypsum, and limestone. The additional tracks will improve freight movement, reduce turnaround time for cargo trains, improve punctuality, and lower dependence on road transport.
Major works include a 4.3-km rail bridge over the Godavari River, a 2.67-km viaduct, three bypasses, and a new alignment around 8 km shorter than the existing route.
“These engineering upgrades will enhance train speeds, reduce bottlenecks, and improve overall efficiency on the route,” officials added.
Indian Railways estimates the upgraded corridor will carry an additional 29.04 million tonnes of freight annually. The project is also expected to generate 135 lakh human-days of employment, save nearly ₹1,150 crore each year in logistics costs, and cut carbon emissions by 51.49 crore kg of CO2 equivalent.
The expansion will also improve access to tourism and pilgrimage destinations such as Annavaram, Antarvedi, and Draksharamam.
The approval reflects a renewed focus on rail-led industrial growth in Andhra Pradesh while helping Indian Railways create more capacity on a key trunk route.