Andhra Pradesh - Guntur   

SCR for Guntur-Nandyal electrification

GUNTUR: South Central Railway wishes to develop Guntur-Nandyal as alternative North-South freight corridor with a potential of very high ‘Rate of Return’. The SCR General Manager, who visited the Guntur Division on Thursday, expressed immense satisfaction over the 34 per cent growth rate for the current fiscal, terming it ‘prodigal’ in a scenario of extreme unavailability of covered wagons.

An overjoyed General Manager told The Hindu that it was a fabulous performance for a new Railway Division that was only into 6th year of operation and expressed hope that it would develop in a couple of years as a supplemental division of Vijayawada with a high volume of freight earnings from limestone, cement and food grains.

Detailing the various projects he wishes to push through in the Railway Board for approval during current run-up to the Railway Budget 2010, he prioritised the Guntur-Nandyal railway line electrification, which had great potential of high rate of return - a criteria followed by the Planning Commission and Railway Board. This project would cost Rs. 300 crores, while the second one was project-oriented connectivity of line from Jaggaipet and Mellacheruvu, connecting the other line of Vishnupuram to Janapadu. These additional lines could cost up to Rs.25 crores, but with a guarantee of good revenue returns from freight traffic.

The gross earnings of Guntur division went up by 25 per cent during current fiscal compared to same period last year. The Guntur-KC Canal Junction was currently handling 70 trains per day and that was optimal traffic and if pushed beyond that it could give problems. In view of this a third line was also essential there, he observed.

The next on priority was the doubling of Guntur-Tenali section so that a lot of traffic diversion and convenience to passenger would result.

The Guntur Divisional Railway Manager Mohammed Akhtar, ADRM S. Sreedharan also accompanied Mr. Jayanth. Focus was on developing more passenger amenities by spending Rs.20 crores this year.

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