Kotla lays foundation stone for doubling of branch lines in Vijayawada section

Bhimavaram, April 11 : Union Minister of State for Railways Kotla Jaya Surya Prakash Reddy on Thursday laid the foundation stone for Doubling / Electrification of Vijayawada-Gudivada-Machilipatnam; Gudivada-Bhimavaram; Narsapur-Bhimavaram-Nidadavolu branch line Sections of Vijayawada Division at a grand function held at Bhimavaram Town Railway Station.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister said that the ambitious Doubling and Electrification project which has been grounded today heralds a new dawn in the regions rail transport infrastructure. The entire project is estimated to cost Rs 1500 crore spread over 221 Kms covering 51 Railway stations, he informed. The Minister detailed the Rail Budget highlights in the current year for South Central Railway including introduction of new train services, extension of trains, increase in frequency as well as undertaking of various new projects including a Coach Mid life Rehabilitation Workshop at Kurnool.

Earlier, South Central Railway General Manager Devi Prasad Pande, in his welcome address, spoke on the performance of South Central Railway during the financial year 2012-13 in which the zone has registered the highest ever freight loading of 111.50 million tonnes and crossed a significant mile stone of Rs.10000 crore in gross earnings. The priority being accorded towards passenger amenities and the focus on “rail customer” by SCR was stressed.

Narasapuram MP Kanumuri Bapi Raju, who presided over the function, acknowledged the initiative of SCR in undertaking this important Doubling and Electrification project which serves as a very vital coastal rail link supplementing the Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam main line.

Machiplipatnam MP Konakalla Narayana Rao, Bhimavaram MLA Pulaparthi Ramanjaneyulu, Undi MLA V V Shiva Rama Raju, Palakol MLA Bangaru Usha Rani and MLCs Meka Seshu Babu and Angara Rama Mohan were also present. INN