Vijayawada: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu proposed a semi-high-speed suburban railway network aimed at improving connectivity in the capital region and alleviating traffic congestion.
The government has begun preparing for a circular railway project connecting major urban centers, including Vijayawada, Namburu, Amaravati, Guntur and Tenali, to form a cycle to enhance regional transportation infrastructure.
Official sources said that the proposed key stations on the circular suburban rail line are Vijayawada (PNBS Station), Krishna Canal, Pedavadlapudi, Chiluvuru, Duggirala, Kolakaluru, Tenali, Sangam, Vejendla, Old Guntur, Guntur, Koritepadu, Hindu College Hostel, Guntur City, MG Inner Ring Road, Auto Nagar, Namburu, Kaza, Mangalagiri, Tadikonda and Peddaparimi.
To promote the project, the National Metro Corporation (APMRC) has directed to work with the Urban Mass Transportation Corporation (UMTC) to prepare detailed project reports. The proposal covers urban centres under the Andhra Pradesh Capital Regional Development Authority (APCRDA), including the Krishna Canal, Dujilala, Tenali, Vejendla, Mangalagiri, Sattenapalli, Nuzvid, Gudivada, Gudivada and Gannavaram.
Currently, the passenger train between Guntur and Vijayawada covers a distance of 32.17 km in about 1 hour and 20 minutes, while the Express train takes about an hour. Howrah – Chennai East Coast Coast Corridor is still crowded, with only a few branch trains running slowly due to different traffic conditions.
“Recognizing the traditional fast passenger training service that is not feasible around Amaravati, the state government believes that the semi-high-speed suburban railway system is crucial for regional development. The Ministry of Railways has approved in principle the project, which will be implemented between the central and state governments, under the Suburban Railway Policy,” the official source said.
