Hyderabad: South Central Railway accelerated SCR rail expansion by adding 194.57 km of new, doubled and tripled tracks in 2025–26 to ease congestion across its high-density network.
Officials said the additions targeted heavily used corridors to improve train movement and reduce delays. Moreover, the zone completed 325 track km electrification during the same period. This work strengthened operational efficiency on key routes, including the Gudur–Balharshah corridor, a major north-south freight and passenger link.
The Kazipet–Wadi line via Secunderabad was also treated as a high-density network under the SCR rail expansion plan. Authorities said this classification ensured focused upgrades on capacity and traffic handling.
Major works included new lines between Mallavaram and Kanigiri, along with doubling projects across multiple sections. In addition, the zone carried out extensive tripling on busy stretches such as Mahabubabad–Nekkonda and Khammam–Dornakal. Officials said these works would support smoother operations and reduce bottlenecks.
They added that new railway lines would connect remote villages to the broader network. As a result, rural areas along these routes were expected to gain better accessibility and transport links.
SCR rail expansion targets high-density corridors
SCR officials said the near completion of the third line on the 700-km Grand Trunk route marked a major milestone. They stated that the additional line would significantly improve traffic flow on one of the busiest corridors.
At the same time, bypass lines at Kazipet, Wadi and Peddapalli were taken up to ease congestion at junction points. A new ‘Y’ connectivity at Tandur was also introduced to streamline train movement. These measures, officials said, would reduce delays and improve punctuality under the SCR rail expansion programme.
They noted that congestion had increased in recent years due to rising passenger and freight demand. Therefore, capacity augmentation remained a priority for the zone.
SCR rail expansion backed by higher budget allocation
For 2026–27, SCR received a capital expenditure allocation of Rs 13,026 crore, marking an 18.3% increase over the previous year. Officials said the higher funding would sustain the pace of SCR rail expansion.
Out of the total allocation, Rs 1,315 crore was earmarked for new lines, while Rs 5,083 crore was allocated for doubling works. In addition, Rs 1,908 crore was set aside for track renewals.
The zone also allocated Rs 403 crore for traffic facilities and Rs 683 crore for road safety works. Officials said these investments would strengthen infrastructure and improve operational safety.
Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, General Manager of South Central Railway, appreciated the efforts of officers and staff across departments. He credited teams from construction, engineering, electrical, signal and telecom, and operations for driving progress.
He said the enhanced budget allocation would help further strengthen railway infrastructure across the zone. According to him, continued investment would support long-term growth and efficiency under the SCR rail expansion plan.