Indian Railways commissions 15-km doubling project to boost train operations on Howrah-Visakhapatnam route

The Ministry of Railways recently commissioned a 15.121 km double-line section between Nandyal and Gazulapalli, as part of the Guntur-Guntakal Doubling and Electrification Project. This project, sanctioned in the financial year 2016-17 with an estimated cost of Rs 3,887 crore, has seen its cost rise to around Rs 4,306 crore post-revision. The project falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the South Coast Railway zone.

The section, crucial for enhancing regional rail connectivity and freight movement, was authorized for train operations at a maximum speed of 100 kmph. The Commissioner of Railway Safety granted speed authorization on November 3, 2026.

This doubling is expected to remove a significant bottleneck on the Howrah-Visakhapatnam route, boost line capacity, and provide greater operational flexibility. The upgrade will also enhance passenger convenience and freight movement along the Guntur-Guntakal corridor, connecting the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh with Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, and other eastern rail corridors.

The Nandyal-Gazulapalli segment includes six new loop lines, three high-level platforms, 18 bridges, new station buildings at Gazulapalli and Nandipalli, and a dedicated goods handling platform at Nandipalli.