Rail line to Nizamabad inching closer to reality

Rail line to Nizamabad inching closer to reality
x
Highlights

The work on the 178-km Peddapalli-Karimnagar-Nizamabad broad gauge line, which is said to be one of the crucial last-mile projects that connect remote areas, launched by then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao way back in 1993 is an ignored lot with the Railway Ministry allocating meagre funds over the years. With the funds trickling in meagre proportions, the land acquisition has also got delayed.

Hyderabad: A diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU) train between Peddapalli and Morthad is all set to chug on from December 29, indicating that long-awaited Peddapalli-Karimnagar-Nizamabad railway line is expected to be thrown open for commuter and goods trains in the near future.

The work on the 178-km Peddapalli-Karimnagar-Nizamabad broad gauge line, which is said to be one of the crucial last-mile projects that connect remote areas, launched by then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao way back in 1993 is an ignored lot with the Railway Ministry allocating meagre funds over the years. With the funds trickling in meagre proportions, the land acquisition has also got delayed.

By 2001, the line between Peddapalli and Karimnagar covering a distance of 35.53-km was laid. It took another six years to complete 47-km between Karimnagar-Lingampet (Jagtial).

Though the new line will reduce a considerable distance between New Delhi and Nizamabad, besides establishing rail connectivity between Mumbai and Karimnagar, the pace of work was even enviable to the snail. It may be noted here that Railways has allocated Rs 70 crore in its 2016-17 budget.

As of now, while the laying of track from Morthad to Armoor is almost complete, the remaining work between Armoor and Nizamabad (28 km) is going on at a brisk pace, according to Railway officials.

Speaking to The Hans India, South Central Railway CPRO M Uma Shankar said: “Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu will inaugurate the Lingampet-Morthad line on December 29 through remote control from Secunderabad. Efforts are on to complete the Peddapalli-Nizamabad route within a short time.”

The existing passenger train between Peddapalli and Lingampet will be extended to Morthad, it’s learnt. “If the line is completed, there is a possibility of decrease in the prices of essential commodities as we get pulses, onions, potatoes etc from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh,” Karimnagar District Chamber of Commerce and Trade President Yada Anjaiah, who is also former member of the Divisional Railway Users' Consultative Committee (DRUCC). He said that the new line will also provide a hassle-free access to cities like Mumbai, Bhiwandi and Surat where a large number of migrants from the region are eking out a livelihood. He said that the line will prove to be lucrative for the Railways.

Show Full Article
Print Article
Next Story
More Stories
ADVERTISEMENT