KTR urges Centre to set up Kazipet railway division

BRS working president KT Rama Rao has urged the Centre to establish a new railway division headquartered at Kazipet, citing mounting operational pressures on the Secunderabad division. In a letter to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, he highlighted Kazipet’s strategic location, freight potential, and recent infrastructure upgrades.

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao urged the Centre to establish a new railway division with headquarters at Kazipet in Telangana immediately, citing growing operational pressures within South Central Railway.

He added that establishing a divisional headquarters at Kazipet would boost economic activity and improve service delivery across North and East Telangana, urging the Centre to act on the proposal.

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In his letter to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Rama Rao said the ongoing restructuring in South Central Railway and the operationalisation of South Coast Railway has increased burden on the Secunderabad division. He noted that the division currently spans 2,755 track kilometres and is expected to expand to around 3,150 kilometres with upcoming line additions, far exceeding the optimal administrative range.

He pointed out that other divisions such as Vijayawada and Guntakal operate at approximately 2,200 track km, while Guntur division is under 900 km, making Secunderabad the largest in size, complexity, and traffic density.

Further, the BRS working president argued that the creation of the Kazipet division would be both logical and efficient. The proposed jurisdiction would include key sections such as Kazipet-Balharshah, Peddapalli-Nizamabad, Kazipet-Yerrupalem, Dornakal-Manuguru and Sathupalli, Motumari-Vishnupuram, and Kazipet-Wangapalli, forming a cohesive high-density network of 1,500–2,000 track km.

He also urged reconsideration of certain redistribution plans, including the proposed transfer of the Peddapalli-Nizamabad section to Hyderabad division, suggesting it be retained within the new Kazipet division for operational continuity. He appealed to the Union Minister to revisit the proposal to shift the Latur Road–Parli Vaijnath section to Nanded division.

Rama Rao argued that establishment of a manufacturing unit, rolling overhaul facilities, and locomotive maintenance infrastructure at Mahabubabad, strengthens the region’s growing railway ecosystem.

Emphasising Kazipet’s strategic importance, he opined that its location at the intersection of major trunk routes and recent infrastructure upgrades, including triple lines towards Balharshah and Vijayawada, and a sanctioned quadruple line between Secunderabad and Kazipet, enhances its suitability.

He pointed out that the proposed division can handle freight-intensive routes, including coal, cement, fertilisers, and food grains, generating significant revenue. He asserted that decentralising operations would ease administrative strain, improve safety and maintenance, and enhance efficiency.

BRS MPs KR Suresh Reddy, Vaddiraju Ravichandra, Bandi Parthasarathi Reddy and Deevakonda Damodara Rao, along with former MLA Shankar Naik called on Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to submit the letter written by BRS working president KT Rama Rao.