2 min readUpdated: Jul 24, 2026 04:50 PM IST
Ballari-Guntakal railway line expansion: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Friday approved a railway project worth around Rs 1,264 crore to build the third and fourth railway lines on the Ballari-Guntakal section connecting Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
The project will cover three districts across Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and will add around 46 km to the Indian Railways (IR) network.
“The proposed multi-tracking project will enhance connectivity to approximately 99 villages, which are having a population of about seven lakhs. The capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country, including Ballari Fort, Sri Kumara Swamy Temple, etc,” the Ministry of Railways said in a statement.
Route map of 3rd and 4th railway line project on Ballari-Guntakal section (Image: PIB)
Construction of 3rd and 4th Line of Ballari-Guntakal section
The third and fourth railway lines on the Ballari-Guntakal section will include a 762-metre mega bridge over the Vedavathi River, along with seven major bridges and 52 minor bridges. The project is expected to be completed within three years.
3rd & 4th Line: Ballari-Guntakal Section
Cabinet approved the 3rd and 4th line in the Ballari-Guntakal section
Project at a Glance
₹1,264 Cr
Total Investment
Karnataka & AP
States Covered
Bridges Along the Route (60 Total)
Mega Bridge (Vedavathi River – 762m)1
Source: Indian Railways
Why the Ballari-Guntakal railway line project is important
According to Railways, the third and fourth lines on the Ballari-Guntakal section will increase capacity on a key freight route used to transport commodities such as iron ore, dolomite, limestone, iron and steel, coal, fertilisers and foodgrains. The project is expected to add freight carrying capacity of about 16.22 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
The multi-tracking project is also expected to streamline train operations, reduce congestion and improve the overall efficiency of the rail network.
Ballari-Guntakal 3rd & 4th Line: Key Benefits
Will facilitate faster movement for the Ballari-Hospete steel and cement clusters, improve port connectivity and enhance access to key tourist sites.
Impact in Numbers, Every Year
16 MT
Additional freight traffic per annum
6.67 Cr Kg
CO2 saved per year
Equivalent to planting ~27 lakh trees
₹149 Cr
Logistic cost savings per year
31 Lakh
Human-days of employment generated
Source: Indian Railways