CHENNAI: To boost both passenger and freight transportation along the Chennai-Vijayawada and Chennai-Tirupati sections, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the construction of third and fourth railway lines between Gummidipundi and Gudur for 90km at an estimated cost of Rs 2,229 crore. The project is part of four railway projects approved by the Union Cabinet at a total cost of Rs 9,450 crore.
The additional lines are expected to significantly boost freight movement from industries in Tiruvallur district and reduce the detention of express and freight trains caused by track congestion. The project will also strengthen connectivity to Kamarajar (Ennore) and Krishnapatnam ports and enable the transportation of an additional 21.24 million tonnes of freight annually. This is expected to result in annual logistics savings of Rs 382.15 crore, according to the Railways.
The project includes the construction of 21 major bridges, including a 360-metre-long mega bridge across the Swarnamukhi River, 127 minor bridges and 34 road overbridges/road underbridges.
While the Chennai-Athipattu section already has four lines, the Railways recently sanctioned third and fourth lines between Athipattu and Gummidipundi, covering 23km. “Work on the 23-km third and fourth line project between Athipattu and Gummidipundi is expected to commence shortly. The decision to extend the third and fourth lines up to Gudur will improve freight movement along the 140-km Chennai-Gudur corridor,” an official said.
Currently, track utilisation on the two-line Gummidipundi-Gudur section has exceeded 131%, resulting in severe congestion. “The two additional tracks will help reduce CO2 emissions by 17,000 tonnes, equivalent to planting 68 lakh trees,” Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in New Delhi.
The approval comes a few months after the ministry accorded special status to the 90-km Gummidipundi-Gudur third and fourth line project. The special status allows landowners to seek compensation 30% to 40% higher than the standard settlement amount.
S Suresh Babu, president of the Gummidipundi Railway Passengers’ Welfare Association, said the approval was a major milestone for Gummidipundi and Tiruvallur district. “The approval will improve passenger transportation in the section,” he said.