Earthwork, embankment and construction of minor bridges in the sections of Manoharabad-Gajwel (32 km), which is the first phase of the rail link till Kothapalli, are in progress and set to be completed by March next year with 90% of land already acquired by the government and handed over, informed South Central Railway.
Senior officials informed that people of Medchal, Siddipet, Medak, Siricilla and Karimnagar districts would get connected by rail once this Hyderabad-Karimnagar link (Manoharabad in Medak district-Kothapalli in Karimnagar district) is completed in all respects.
The project has been sanctioned for a distance of 151.40 km at an estimated cost of ₹1,160 crore with ₹350 crore allocated last year and ₹125 crore this year with Railways Minister Piyush Goyal giving it priority. The new rail line passes through important towns such as Vemulawada (Dakshina Kaashi), Sircilla, Siddipet and Gajwel benefiting over 50 lakh population.
The other phases are: Gajwel-Duddeda (32.15 km), Duddeda-Sircilla (48.65 km) and Sircilla-Kothapalli (38.60 km). Around 160 bridges, seven road over-bridges, 49 road under-bridges and 13 new railway stations (eight crossing stations and five halts) are to come up.
New railway stations will come up at Nacharam, Iranagaram (halt), Gajwel, Kodakandla (halt), Lakhadaram, Duddeda, Siddipet, Gurralagondi (halt), Chinnalingapur, Siricilla, Vemulawada, Boinapally and Wedira (halt), said SCR officials.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone for the new railway line connecting in August 2016 and the project is also being monitored during PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) meetings, which is a multi-purpose and multi-modal platform.
While efforts are on to complete all the phases at the earliest, officials point out that once done, it would be beneficial for lakhs of pilgrims travelling to Vemulawada to seek blessings of Lord Shiva, handloom weavers of Siddipet and business community of Gajwel as it would bring in a new standard in travel convenience besides offering employment opportunities.