Cabinet approves ₹1,264 crore trans-Karnataka railway multi-track project in Andhra Pradesh

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addressed the media at the National Media Center in New Delhi on Friday about the government’s decision. | Photo credit: Sushil Kumar Verma

The Cabinet’s Economic Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday (July 24, 2026) approved the third and fourth tracks of the Ballari-Guntakal railway section across Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The project is estimated to cost ₹1,264 crore.

The multi-track line project covering three districts in both the states will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 46 km and will be completed by 2028-29. The proposed multi-track project will enhance the connectivity of around 99 villages with a total population of around seven thousand, a railway ministry spokesperson said.

The capacity enhancement project will improve rail connectivity to several leading tourist destinations across the country, including Ballari Fort and Sri Kumara Swamy Temple.

The project is planned under the National Master Plan PM GatiShakti with a focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultation. The project is expected to provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services.

The proposed project is essential for the transportation of commodities such as iron ore, dolomite, limestone, iron and steel, coal, fertilizers and food grains. The capacity expansion work will lead to an additional freight traffic of 16.22 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), the spokeswoman added.

Increased track capacity will significantly increase mobility, leading to improved operational efficiency and service reliability for railways. The proposal is also set to streamline operations and ease congestion.

Published – 24 Jul 2026 18:24 IST