198km Rajahmundry-Vizag rail tracks get cabinet nod

Vijayawada: In a major infrastructure boost for Andhra Pradesh, the cabinet committee on economic affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cleared a ₹9,889-crore railway capacity expansion to ease congestion on one of India's busiest freight corridors. The project—construction of third and fourth lines between Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu) and Visakhapatnam (Duvvada)—spans 198 km along the high-density Howrah–Chennai corridor, vital for both passenger and freight traffic. The upgrade is expected to significantly strengthen connectivity along the state's eastern coast.Officials noted that utilisation on this stretch has already crossed 130%, causing frequent delays. The additional lines will streamline train operations, improve punctuality, and ensure smoother movement of goods and passengers.The route cuts through East Godavari, Konaseema, Kakinada, Anakapalle and Visakhapatnam — districts including those under the aspirational programme. The project aligns with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, targeting integrated, multimodal logistics efficiency.Strategically, the corridor links major east-coast ports—Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Kakinada and Machilipatnam—making it critical for freight. Enhanced capacity is projected to handle an extra 29.04 million tonnes annually, including coal, cement, fertilisers, iron and steel, foodgrains and containers, supporting industrial growth and port-led development.Engineering highlights include a 4.3-km rail bridge over the Godavari, a 2.67-km viaduct and three bypass lines. The new alignment will be 8 km shorter than the existing route, cutting transit time and boosting operational efficiency.Beyond industry, the project will aid tourism by improving access to Annavaram, Antarvedi and Draksharamam, while enhancing healthcare, education and job opportunities across the region.Environmentally, the expansion is expected to cut carbon emissions by 51.49 crore kg—equivalent to planting over 2 crore trees—and reduce logistics costs by more than ₹1,150 crore annually compared to road transport. Execution is projected to generate 135 lakh human-days of employment, delivering a strong local economic stimulus.