C Pradeep Kumar
cpk007@gmail.com
Vijayawada
With the new coalition government led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, development in Amaravati’s capital region is picking up speed. A key project is the proposed semi-high-speed circular suburban rail network, designed to improve transport links and reduce traffic congestion.
Preparations have started for the rail loop connecting major urban centres such as Vijayawada, Namburu, Amaravati, Guntur and Tenali. This loop will strengthen the region’s transit infrastructure.
The Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (APMRC) has been tasked to work with the Urban Mass Transit Company Limited (UMTC) to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR). The plan includes towns under the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA), like Krishna Canal, Duggirala, Tenali, Vejendla, Mangalagiri, Sattenapalli, Nuzvid, Gudivada and Gannavaram.
Currently, passenger trains take around 1 hour 20 minutes to cover the 32 km between Guntur and Vijayawada, while express trains take about an hour. The busy Howrah–Chennai East Coast Corridor faces congestion, with only a few slow branch-line trains running due to mixed traffic.
Since fast conventional passenger trains are not suitable for Amaravati’s suburban routes, the state government sees the semi-high-speed suburban rail as vital for growth. The Indian Railways Ministry has given in-principle approval, and the project will be jointly run by the central and state governments under the Suburban Railway Policy of 2017.
Proposed key stations
Vijayawada (PNBS), 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.
