The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday approved the construction of the third and fourth railway lines on the Ballari–Guntakal section across Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh at an estimated cost of ₹1,264 crore.
The project, spanning three districts in the two states, will add around 46 km to the existing Indian Railways network and is scheduled for completion by 2028-29.
Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the project aims to enhance multimodal connectivity, improve logistics efficiency and ensure seamless movement of passengers and freight through integrated infrastructure planning.
According to the government, the capacity expansion will improve rail connectivity for nearly 99 villages with a combined population of around seven lakh people. It will also strengthen access to tourist destinations such as Ballari Fort and the Sri Kumara Swamy Temple.
The Ballari–Guntakal corridor is a key freight route for transporting commodities including iron ore, dolomite, limestone, iron and steel, coal, fertilisers and food grains. The additional rail capacity is expected to support around 16.22 million tonnes of freight traffic annually.
The government said the project will also contribute to India’s environmental goals by reducing dependence on road transport. It is estimated to save around 1.32 crore litres of fuel and cut carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 6.67 crore kg, equivalent to planting nearly 0.27 crore trees.
The enhanced line capacity is expected to improve operational efficiency, reduce congestion and increase service reliability on the route. The government said the project aligns with the vision of building a modern, self-reliant India while creating employment and self-employment opportunities through regional infrastructure development.
