The cabinet committee on economic affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a major infrastructure project for Andhra Pradesh. The ₹9,889-crore railway capacity expansion aims to ease congestion on one of India's busiest freight corridors.
Project Details
The project involves constructing third and fourth railway lines between Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu) and Visakhapatnam (Duvvada). Spanning 198 km along the high-density Howrah–Chennai corridor, the upgrade is critical for both passenger and freight traffic. 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.
Route and Alignment
The route cuts through East Godavari, Konaseema, Kakinada, Anakapalle and Visakhapatnam districts, including those under the aspirational programme. The new alignment will be 8 km shorter than the existing route, reducing transit time and boosting operational efficiency. Engineering highlights include a 4.3-km rail bridge over the Godavari River, a 2.67-km viaduct, and three bypass lines.
Strategic Importance
The corridor links major east-coast ports—Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Kakinada and Machilipatnam—making it critical for freight movement. Enhanced capacity is projected to handle an additional 29.04 million tonnes of cargo annually, including coal, cement, fertilisers, iron and steel, foodgrains, and containers. This will support industrial growth and port-led development.
Alignment with PM Gati Shakti
The project aligns with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which aims for integrated, multimodal logistics efficiency. It will also aid tourism by improving access to Annavaram, Antarvedi and Draksharamam, while enhancing healthcare, education and job opportunities across the region.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
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.
