New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the construction of third and fourth railway lines on the Ballari-Guntakal section in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh at an estimated cost of around ₹1,264 crore.
The project was cleared by the committee chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 July 2026 and is targeted for completion by 2028-29.
The multitracking project will increase the existing Indian Railways network by approximately 46 km and cover three districts across Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
According to the government, the project will improve connectivity for around 99 villages with a population of approximately seven lakh.
The project has been planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, with a focus on integrated planning, multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency.
The additional railway lines are expected to improve the movement of passengers, goods and services along the Ballari-Guntakal corridor.
The section is an important route for the transportation of iron ore, dolomite, limestone, iron and steel, coal, fertilisers and food grains.
The capacity augmentation is expected to generate additional freight traffic of around 16.22 million tonnes per annum.
The government said the project would help reduce congestion, improve operational efficiency and enhance the reliability of railway services on the section.
It is also expected to improve access to tourist destinations in the region, including Ballari Fort and Sri Kumara Swamy Temple.
According to the Cabinet statement, the project could reduce oil imports by around 1.32 crore litres.
It is also projected to lower carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 6.67 crore kg, which the government said is equivalent to planting around 0.27 crore trees.
