South Coast Railway (SCoR) successfully commissioned the 15.121 km double-line section between Nandyal and Gazulapalli on November 6, 2026. Authorized for train operations at a permissible speed of 100 kmph, the newly doubled section is an important milestone in the ongoing Guntur–Guntakal doubling project.
The statutory inspection and speed authorization for the section were carried out by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) on November 3, 2026.
The only section remaining to be doubled in the Guntur –Guntakal line is the 27.4-km Gazulapalli-Diguvametta section covering Chelama and Bogada tunnels. Doubling works on this section are on.
Key Infrastructure Highlights
• Track and Passenger Amenities: Six new loop lines and 3 new high-level passenger platforms.
• Bridge Works: 18 bridges, comprising one major bridge and 17 minor bridges.
• Station Buildings: Modern station buildings constructed at Gazulapalli and Nandipalli.
• Passenger safety and access: 1 new Foot-over-bridge (FOB) ensuring seamless platform changeovers.
• Freight Handling: Dedicated new goods loading and unloading platform facility at Nandipalli.
The commissioning of Nandyal–Gazulapalli doubling eliminates a critical bottleneck along the route. It significantly improves line capacity, increases operational flexibility for train operations, and bolsters both passenger convenience and freight throughput over the Guntur–Guntakal corridor.
History of Guntur Guntakal corridor
The Guntur Guntakal Railway line was a metre gauge (MG) section (3’3 3/8″ feet gauge) under the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway (MSMR) Company. The 63.18-mile section between Nandyal and Cumbum was opened for traffic on June 15, 1890. It had two tunnels at Chelama and Bogada and also the famous Dorabavi viaduct.
The date-wise line opening dates on this section were as follows:
Guntakal-Nandyal (90.79-miles) – July 11,1887
Nandyal-Cumbum (63.18-miles) -June 15,1890
Cumbum -Tadepalli (122.41-miles)-October 3,1889
Tadepalli -Bezwada (2.97-miles)-October 3,1889
Tadepalli MG station used to be right next to Krishna Canal Jn railway station on MSMR’s BG line between Madras (now called Chennai) and Bezwada (now called Vijayawada).