Big boost to rail projects in Telangana

Hyderabad: The South Central Railway (SCR) got a major boost in the Union budget, especially for infrastructure projects to the tune of Rs 3,034 crore for the year 2017-18 as against Rs 2,134 crore for 2016-17, which is 42 percent more.

With thirteen new infrastructure projects, including two mega projects the Secunderabad headquartered SCR has its hands full for the next financial year.

As part of capital investment programme, new work between Armoor and Adilabad via Nirmal in Telangana State for a length of 220 km at a cost of Rs 2,800 crore has been sanctioned as part of joint venture with Telangana State Government.

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HIGHLIGHTS:

• New survey for doubling to a length of 235 km between Bolarum and Mudkhed has been sanctioned. (Telangana and Maharashtra)
• New survey for 4th line to a length of 234 km between Kazipet and Balharshah has been sanctioned. (Telangana and Maharashtra)
• New survey for 4th line to a length of 219 km between Kazipet and Vijayawada has been sanctioned. (Telangana and Andhra Pradesh)

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SCR general manager Vinod Kumar Yadav said that construction of four new crossing stations at an estimated cost of Rs19 crore has been sanctioned between the stations; Wanaparthi Road – Kaukuntla, Manopad – Alampur Road and Itikyala – Manopad in Telangana. Rs 40 crore is allotted for traction distribution work.

This year, four new works for replacement of catenary wires and improvement at neutral sections has been sanctioned. This apart, Rs 325.4 crore budgetary grant for road over/ under bridges is sanctioned which is 109 per cent more compared to last year’s budget. For rebuilding and strengthening of bridges, Rs 31 crore is also sanctioned.

Keeping safety aspect as a priority, Rs 69.5 crore has been allotted. This year, to improve safety at busy level crossing gates, inter-locking works are sanctioned at 24 LC gates and Rs 604.7 crore budgetary grant for track renewals is sanctioned.

100 crore for MMTS Phase II
In what may be considered as a major fillip to the MMTS Phase II project in Hyderabad, Rs 100 crore has been allotted as railway portion for MMTS Phase II project.

In addition Rs 16 crore has been allotted for Ghatkesar–Yadadri extension. Vinod Kumar Yadav said that works on the MMTS front would be speeded up and the commissioning of the first stretch by December 2017 and completion of the remaining corridors by 2018 is now a realistic target.

Responding to the Ghatkesar–Yadadri extension, he said that the token amount of Rs 16 crore would be enough initially to conduct survey and RVNL, the implementing agency, would invite tenders shortly. This phase would take 30 months to complete.

Connectivity to airport
Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) and GMR are presently conducting a feasibility study on underground tunnel to connect MMTS to the airport.

The issue of connectivity to the airport has been going on for several years now with the GMR unwilling to spare land and wants the MMTS to stop 1.5 km from the airport but the railways is insistent that MMTS reach the mouth of the airport as is the case the world over.

Rs 5 crore for Cherlapalli station
For the development of satellite terminal at Cherlapalli, Rs 5 crore is sanctioned. Talks of developing a mega terminal to reduce the burden on Secunderabad station have been going on in the last few years. The general manager said that this token amount would set the ball rolling as surveys could be conducted.

The SCR has 30-acre land and would require 130 acre to develop six platforms and other facilities. The plan is in conceptual stage but this allotment though a small sum is helpful in kick starting the project opined the general manager.

Train collision avoidance system (TCAS) extended field trials and is in progress on Secunderabad – Wadi and Vikarabad – Bidar sections.

This year, new works for provision of train collision avoidance system (TCAS) has been sanctioned for 228 Kms between Wadi – Guntakal at a cost of Rs. 50 core.

New works for provision of train collision avoidance system (TCAS) has been sanctioned for 241 km on Bidar – Parli Vaijnath – Parbhani section at a cost of Rs 25 crore.

New works for provision of Train collision avoidance system (TCAS) has been sanctioned for 958 km on Manmad – Parbhani – Nanded – Secunderabad – Gadwal – Dhone – Guntakal section at a cost of Rs 120 crore.