Union Cabinet Clears Ballari-Guntakal Railway Expansion

The Union Cabinet has approved the construction of third and fourth railway lines between Ballari and Guntakal, strengthening the key economic corridor connecting Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the project is estimated to cost Rs 1,264 crore and is targeted for completion within three years. Around 80 per cent of the required land is already available. The project will expand the railway network by about 46 km and improve rail connectivity for 99 villages. A major railway bridge across the Vedavati River, along with seven major bridges and 52 minor bridges, is planned as part of the development. The Centre expects the expanded corridor to support an additional 16 million tonnes of freight annually, reduce logistics costs and improve connectivity to major mineral, steel, cement, power and industrial hubs in the region.

The Cabinet has also approved the ‘Bhavya Rasayan’ initiative aimed at strengthening India’s chemical manufacturing ecosystem. Under the programme, three plug-and-play chemical parks are proposed to be developed in states selected through a competitive process, with substantial financial assistance from the Centre. The parks will feature common effluent treatment facilities, waste management systems, fire and safety infrastructure, and rail and port connectivity. Vaishnaw also highlighted the progress of railway electrification in India and said investments in railways, roads, metros, airports, industrial parks, semiconductors, electronics and chemicals would continue as part of the government’s broader Viksit Bharat vision.