Telangana CS, SCR GM discuss railway projects

Hyderabad, May 18 (INN): South Central Railway General Manager Ravindra Gupta met Telangana Chief Secretary Dr Rajiv Sharma at the Secretariat here on Wednesday.

During the meeting, they held detailed discussions on various ongoing Railway Projects in Telangana State. The SCR General Manager thanked the Telangana Government for its cooperation to projects concerning development of rail network in Telangana state.

The SCR General Manager appraised Dr. Sharma on the land requirement for new passenger terminal at Cherlapalli and stated that 150 acres of land is needed for the purpose of developing a modern passenger terminal here. The Chief Secretary indicated that he will get the matter examined. With regard to Shankerpalli, it was agreed that the site will be jointly inspected and examined.

The Chief Secretary indicated that the Manoharabad - Kottapalli new railway line project shall be taken up in full swing, considering its importance. It was informed to him that the land acquisition for the line to be provided by the State Government free of cost is under progress. Works concerning survey and realignments are also under progress. The detailed estimate for a value of Rs.1160.48 crs for the project is under process for sanction at the Railway Board. Tenders would be called after availability of land for the initial length of 70 kms up to Siddipet.

With regard to the construction of new railway line between Bhadrachalam - Sattupalli, Bhadrachalam Road - Kovvur and Kothagudem - Kondapalli stations, the issue of common alignments is to be decided along with the State Government. The Chief Secretary assured that the matter would be examined and decision on common alignment would be communicated at the earliest.

Another issue which was discussed, concerned provision of temporary Railway level crossings at 3 locations on the Karimnagar ' Nizamabad new railway line project, to facilitate commissioning of the new line. In this connection, it was explained that the railway has already deposited the amount indicated by the state government for construction of Road Over Bridge (ROB) approaches at these three locations. Since the construction of ROB approaches is going to take time the state government has been requested to permit provision of the temporary railway level crossings.

The Akkanapet - Medak new railway line project also came up for discussion with the Chief Secretary wanting that the same shall be taken up and completed at an early date, as the entire land for the project has recently been handed over by the state government. General Manager, SCR informed that tenders for earth work, minor bridges and Akkanapet yard have been awarded recently and work will commence very soon. The project is likely to be completed within two years.

The Chief Secretary was also informed that the last leg of 20 kms between Matampalli ' Janpahad section of Jaggiahpet ' Janpahad new railway line project has been targeted for completion in the current year.

Construction of approaches to eleven Road Over Bridges and one Road Under Bridge in the state, wherein the Railway bridge proper has been completed quite a time back but approaches work is still to complete, was also discussed. It was indicated by the Chief Secretary that approaches to eight ROB's would be completed in the current year, while the Railways sought that the remaining four approaches shall also be taken up immediately. The state government was also requested for agreeing to construction of ROB's / RUB's at eight level crossings which qualify for the purpose, on cost sharing basis.

Upon the request of the Railways with regard to acquisition of five acres of land in Cherlapalli ' Moula Ali- Ghatkesar section for MMTS Phase ' II project, the Chief Secretary instructed the District Collector, Ranga Reddy District to expedite the same.