The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the doubling of the Tirupati-Pakala-Katpadi single railway line section.
Spanning 104 kilometers across Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, the project comes with an estimated cost of Rs 1,332 crore.
The initiative aims to transform transportation and logistics in the region, benefiting approximately 400 villages and a population of 14 lakh. The upgraded railway line will cater to enhanced travel convenience, decreased logistics costs, and reduced oil imports, all while contributing to lower carbon emissions.
The upgraded section, a vital route for transporting commodities like coal, agricultural products, cement, and minerals, is projected to handle an additional freight traffic volume of 4 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA). Furthermore, it promises direct employment generation, amounting to approximately 35 lakh human-days during the construction phase.
Tirupati, home to the iconic Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, receives over 75,000 pilgrims daily, making this expansion crucial for accommodating growing footfalls. This project aligns with PM Modi’s vision under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, emphasizing seamless connectivity and sustainable development.
The railways, as an environmentally friendly mode of transportation, are set to play a significant role in achieving India’s climate goals, with projected savings of 4 crore liters of oil and a reduction of 20 crore kilograms of CO2 emissions—a green milestone equivalent to planting 1 crore trees.
By connecting key destinations like the Sri Kalahasti Shiva Temple and Chandragiri Fort, the railway expansion will boost tourism alongside regional and economic development. The railway modernization is poised to make the region more Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) and advance the nation’s infrastructure capabilities.
