Rs 1,264 crore Ballari-Guntakal rail expansion approved

The Union Cabinet has approved a major railway expansion project to construct third and fourth lines between Guntakal in Andhra Pradesh and Ballari in Karnataka, with an estimated cost of 1,264 crore rupees. The decision was made by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on July 24, 2026.

The 46-kilometer multitracking project is designed to enhance capacity on a critical economic corridor that handles essential commodities like iron ore, dolomite, limestone, coal, steel, fertilizers, and food grains. Officials stated the expansion will generate an additional freight traffic capacity of 16.22 million tonnes per annum, aiming to decongest the existing network and improve the speed and reliability of both passenger and freight services.

The project spans three districts-Ballari in Karnataka, and Anantapur and Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh-and is expected to directly improve connectivity for approximately 99 villages with a combined population of around seven lakh residents. Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said the project will strengthen rail connectivity between the two states and is expected to be completed within three years.