SCR Awaits Andhra’s Funds to Restart Kovvur-Bhadrachalam Rail Project

Rapid Summary

• Kovvur-Bhadrachalam railway line project:

– Project cost increased from ₹1,445 crore to over ₹2,100 crore due to delays.
– Telangana has released its full cost share and completed a 56-km stretch from Bhadrachalam to Sathupalli.
– Execution in Andhra Pradesh is stalled; funds are awaited. Completion target set for April 2030.

• Rajahmundry railway station modernization:

– Modernization project worth ₹271 crore aimed to be expedited before Godavari Pushkarams-2027.
– MP D.Purandeswari raised concerns about delays; SCR assured tenders will be invited within a week.

• Railway halt at Kovvur station:

– Post-COVID halts reduced from 18 trains to eight impacting major services like tirumala, Seshadri, and Sarkar Express.

• Suspended local train operations:

– Appeal made for resuming train services between Rajahmundry and Bhimavaram, Tanuku, Narsapuram suspended since COVID-19.

• Nidadavole railway line electrification:

– Project requires an additional ₹6 crore for connection with the main power supply out of a total cost of ₹150 crore.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The issues surrounding railway projects reflect broader challenges in inter-state cooperation and fund mobilization impacting infrastructure progress. While Telangana’s proactive approach helped commission parts of the Kovvur-Bhadrachalam project on schedule, Andhra Pradesh’s delays risk further escalating costs-highlighting the urgency of resolving funding bottlenecks for equitable state contributions. the pending modernization efforts at Rajahmundry also underscore inefficiencies in implementation despite available resources-a recurring theme across public works where procedural delays outpace urgent requirements like upcoming festivals (e.g., Godavari Pushkarams). Reduced service halts post-COVID spotlight civic inconvenience that warrants reconsideration by authorities prioritizing local connectivity as part of rail operation strategies. These developments signal critical implications for service accessibility and timely execution essential for regional growth dynamics within India’s national transport ecosystem.

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