Cabinet Approves Doubling of Tirupati–Katpadi Railway Line Under PM Gati Shakti Plan
In a major boost to South India`s rail infrastructure, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved the doubling of the Tirupati–Pakala–Katpadi railway line. The Rs 1,332 crore project spans 104 km, connecting Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, and will add 113 km of track length.
Key Benefits:
- Eases congestion on a key route
- Improves train speed, frequency, and reliability
- Enhances connectivity to major religious sites: Tirupati Balaji, Srikalahasti, Kanipakam, and Chandragiri Fort
- Supports travel to educational and medical hubs like Vellore and Tirupati
- Benefits 14 lakh people across 400 villages in Chittoor, Tirupati, and Vellore
Infrastructure Highlights:
- 15 stations, 17 major bridges, 327 minor bridges
- 7 Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and 30 Road Under Bridges (RUBs)
- Boosts freight capacity by 4 million tonnes per year
- Major cargo: coal, cement, agri-produce, minerals
Economic & Environmental Impact:
- Supports growth in agriculture, electronics, cement, and steel
- Saves 4 crore litres of diesel and reduces 20 crore kg CO₂ emissions annually
- Cuts logistics costs by Rs 449 crore/year
