RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM: Construction works of rail-bridge connecting Kotipalli and Mukteswaram will commence in August/September and the tenders could be called before the month-end to build a bridge across river Gowthami. Similarly, the bridge on River Vainateya connecting Bodasakuru and Pasarlapudi and another bridge on river Vasista linking Sakhinetipalli and Narsapur will begin soon. These three bridges are part of the Kotipalli-Narsapur railway line.
Two months ago, a high power team consisting of senior officials of the South Central Railway (SCR) inspected various places and underlined the need to take up construction of the bridges immediately. An estimated Rs 500 crore will be spent for the construction of 3.55-km-long bridge on Gowthami. The Central Government has sanctioned Rs 200 crore for the Kotipalli-Narsapur rail line in this budget.
While Rs 150 crore would be spent for bridge construction, the remaining would be expended for acquiring land between Amalapuram and Narsapur.
According to sources, 250 hectares need to be acquired between Amalapuram and Narsapur. Land acquisition has already been completed between Mukteswaram and Amalapuram. The length of railway track between Kotipalli and Narsapur is 57.20 km and the length between Amalapuram and Narsapur is 45 km.
Railway officials said on condition of anonymity that the project cost might escalate to Rs 1500 crore. The original cost of the project was just Rs 685 crore, when the project was conceived 15 years ago. When completed, the railway track could transport paddy, fruits, coconuts, coir, oils etc worth Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 crore.
Amalapuram MP Pandula Ravindra Babu has assured to the people of Konaseema area that he would strive to secure more funds for the project.