Telangana to get 110-km railway multi-tracking project

The Union Cabinet has approved a Rs 10,021 crore package of five railway projects, including a 110-km multi-tracking line between Secunderabad (Ghatkesar) and Kazipet. The project aims to ease congestion and enhance passenger and freight movement on one of Telangana’s busiest corridors, with completion targeted by 2029-30.

Hyderabad: Telangana is set to receive a major railway infrastructure boost with the Union Cabinet approving a 110-km multi-tracking project between Ghatkesar in Secunderabad division and Kazipet.

The project is part of a five-project package approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Wednesday at an estimated total cost of Rs 10,021 crore.

---

The Secunderabad (Ghatkesar) – Kazipet multi-tracking project is aimed at increasing rail capacity on one of Telangana’s important and heavily utilised corridors. The works are planned to be completed by 2029-30.

The additional railway capacity is expected to ease congestion, improve train operations and enhance the reliability of passenger and freight services in the State. The corridor is also important for the movement of commodities, including coal, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles, foodgrains, petroleum products and fertilisers.

The project is part of a larger railway capacity-enhancement programme covering 17 districts across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Together, the five approved projects will add about 540 km to the existing Indian Railways network.

In Telangana, the multi-tracking works are expected to strengthen connectivity towards the northern parts of the State and improve the movement of people and goods between the Hyderabad-Secunderabad region and Kazipet.

The Centre said the projects have been planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, with an emphasis on multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency. The improved railway network is also expected to benefit connectivity to important tourist and religious destinations in Telangana, including Yadagirigutta, Bhongir Fort, Surendrapuri and Swarnagiri Temple.

According to the Union government, the five projects will improve connectivity to around 2,121 villages, with a combined population of approximately 52 lakh. The capacity augmentation is expected to facilitate an additional 47 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of freight traffic.

The Railways has also projected environmental benefits from the shift of freight traffic to rail. The projects are expected to help reduce oil consumption by around 8 crore litres and cut carbon emissions by approximately 42 crore kg, equivalent to the environmental benefit of planting about 2 crore trees.