The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the construction of 3rd and 4th Line between Ballari in Karnataka and Guntakal in Andhra Pradesh at an estimated total cost of Rs 1264 crore. The project has been targeted for completion by 2028-29.
The project will increase the existing network of Indian Railways (IR) by about 46 km and improve connectivity to 99 villages with a population of about seven lakh.The proposed project is essential route for transportation of commodities such as iron ore, dolomite, limestone, iron and steel, coal, fertilizers and food grains.
The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 16.22 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum). The project will help in minimizing logistics cost of the country and reduce oil import by 1.32 crore litres.
The capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to Ballari Fort and Sri Kumara Swamy Temple. The increased line capacity will improve IR’s operational efficiency and alleviate congestion.
