Third railway line works between Gudur, Vijayawada begin

Nellore: Much awaited works of third railway line between Gudur and Vijayawada as part of Chennai-Howrah main line have kicked off in the district. 

For speeding up the project, Indian Railways engaged its own commercial arm, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), for taking up the works initially between Gudur and Bitragunta on priority basis keeping in view the port and industrial organisations located in the region.

In fact, the Howrah–Chennai main line is connecting Chennai and Kolkata cutting across eastern coastal plains of India covering a distance of 1,661 km across West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu States.

The final survey for the proposed railway line was completed. The Indian Railways has been facing severe strain due to significant increase in railway passengers and also goods shipments. Goods transportation has also become difficult as there are only two lines. 

So, the Railways proposed diverting a number of trains to the third line enabling free movement of express and non-express trains. The Ministry of Railways had earlier sanctioned the new third line connecting Duvvada to Gudur with approximately Rs 3,000 crore and allocated half of the budget for the first phase too.

The South Central Railway also called for tenders on October 26 last year for works between Nellore and Gudur stations. The tenders were for technco-commercial and price bids under two packet system. 

Execution of earth works, construction of minor bridges and miscellaneous works such as construction of stations and others have been proposed between Komarampudi and Nellore stations.

The RVNL also segregated works into various packets and initially started works of new railway bridge on River Penna in Nellore city limits for hassle-free works in other parts of the division. The works of the bridge are on fast pace and a camp was also arranged at Ranganayakula Peta where officials were physically present and monitored works.

Further, officials have tried to evacuate encroachments close to the bridge and also other places in the city, but it was delayed due to intervention of politicos. Railway officials sought support from the Collector and planned to evict the people between June 23 and 25, but the people approached the Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana who assured to contact railway officials.

He, subsequently, announced that the encroachments would be cleared only after providing comfortable rehabilitation. He said they would construct houses for them as per directions of the Chief Minister and then encroachers would be relocated.

Hence, the railway officials who monitor third line works are clearing only vacant places for developing the line. Currently, officials have levelled earth in River Penna for planning pillars as part of the huge bridge structure.