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K.V. Kurmanath

Tirupati, Dec. 8

The South Central Railway, which announced its first electrification project in 1972, is in the process of electrifying a route length of 291 km in the zone, with an investment of Rs 180 crore.

At present, the zone has a total route length of 1,811 km of electrified track, including the 104-km stretch between Tirupati and Katpadi that was opened by Mr Lalu Prasad, Union Minister for Railways, on Saturday.

While electrification of the 161-km Lingampalli-Wadi stretch, which is being taken up in two phases, would be ready by March 2009, the 88-km track connecting Karepalli-Bhadrachalam Road and Manuguru would be electrified by March 2008, a senior Railways spokesperson said.

The newly electrified stretch of 104 km, which was taken up at a cost of Rs 41.27 crore, would prove to be a useful link to trains running on the North-South Rail Corridor.

The route was converted into broad gauge in 2003.

This completes the two electrified networks. On the one hand, the entire route length from New Delhi and Kolkata towards Gudur, Renigunta and Tirupati is electrified. On the other, Katpadi and stations down South are electrified. The opening of Tirupati-Pakala-Katpadi thus, completes a vital network of electrified rail route.

It would help avoid change of traction at Tirupati and Katpadi, providing a seamless electrified network.

As electric lines haul increased loads ensuring optimal use of line capacity, the new line would facilitate running of faster passenger commuter trains in this section, connecting important pilgrimage stations.

Besides, the new electrified line would bring important places such as Chittoor, the district capital, onto the mainstream rail network.

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