Mumbai, June 26 -- The South Coast Railway has issued a final land acquisition notification that clears the way for two rail projects in the Tirupati region valued at Rs 12.5 billion (Rs 12.5 bn). The notification covers land in five villages and allows on-ground construction and tendering to proceed. Authorities described the move as a strategic step to decongest a busy southern rail corridor.
The works comprise the Yerpedu-Pudi bypass line and the Gudur-Renigunta third-line tripling project. Tenders have been floated for the Rs 3.5 billion (Rs 3.5 bn) Yerpedu-Pudi bypass, and contracts have been awarded for the Rs 9 billion (Rs 9 bn) Gudur-Renigunta tripling project, enabling agencies to mobilise resources. Project teams are preparing for early mobilisation.
The SCoR notification specifies the acquisition of 73 acres in five villages in the Yerpedu and Renigunta mandals to facilitate the works. The Gudur-Renigunta third-line will cover a 75 km stretch and increase capacity on the high-density corridor, including Renigunta to Srikalahasti, Srikalahasti to Venkatagiri and Venkatagiri to Gudur. The additional track will enhance throughput for passenger and freight services.
The bypass line is intended to allow trains to avoid entry into Renigunta station, reducing dwell times and routing conflicts at Renigunta Junction, a critical hub linking northern India with southern states. Officials indicated that the projects would ease chronic congestion and shorten journey times for pilgrims and other travellers to Tirupati and Tirumala. Improved punctuality is expected on several long-distance services.
At present trains face heavy congestion and platform constraints on the Gudur-Renigunta stretch, causing many passengers to spend an additional hour or more on journeys. The projects are expected to reduce waiting times for crossings and overtakes and to permit higher speeds where alignment and signalling allow. A senior railway engineer in project implementation for the Tirupati region at SCoR said land acquisition hurdles have largely been cleared and construction activities should gather pace in the coming months.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.