Kothapalli–Manoharabad line

The Kothapalli–Manoharabad line is a single-track broad-gauge railway line under construction in the Indian state of Telangana.[2] Its purpose is to reduce the distance from Karimnagar to Hyderabad and provide railway connectivity to districts such as Siddipet and Sircilla. The line will connect Manoharabad to Kothapally in the South Central Railway zone.

Kothapalli-Manoharabad line
Overview
StatusPartially Operational
OwnerIndian Railways
LocaleTelangana
Termini
Stations15
Websitescr.indianrailways.gov.in
Service
SystemSingle Electric Railway Line
ServicesDelhi–Chennai line
Secunderabad–Manmad line
Peddapalli-Nizambad line
Operator(s)South Central Railway zone
History
Commenced2016
Opened2026; 2 years' time (2026) (est.)
Manoharabad-Siddipet section inaugurated 3 October 2023; 6 months ago (3 October 2023)[1]
Technical
Line length151 km (94 mi)
Track gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge
ElectrificationOngoing
Operating speed100 km/h (62 mph)
Route map
Map Kothapalli-Manoharabad railway line highlighted in red
km
on Secunderabad-Manmad Section
0
Manoharabad
13
Nacharam
20
Appaipally
25
Iranagaram
30
Gajwel
43
Kodakandla
48
Lakhadaram
64
Duddeda
75
Siddipet
90
Gurralagondi
101
Chinnalingapur
112
Sircilla
125
Vemulawada
134
Boinapally
143
Wedira
151
Kothapalli
on Pedapalli-Nizamabad Section

The line roughly follows State Highway 17 from Manoharabad until it reaches Gajwel where it begins to follow State Highway 1 until Siddipet. It continues north to Sircilla, envisioned to allow easy access to the Raja Rajeswara Temple, Vemulawada and roughly following National Highway 365B. The line terminates at Kottapalli, which is near National Highway 563.

History edit

 
Siddipet Station - opened in 2023

The Survey work for the line was reportedly completed sometime in 2005.[3] After the formation of Telangana, the line was fast-tracked and received Centre approval. The foundation stone was laid on 8 August 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.[4]

In 2020, track on this line was tested to Gajwel. On 29 June 2022, the railway line from Manoharabad to Kothapalli received its first freight shipment at Gajwel.[5] In 2023, Rs 185 crores were allocated to the project in the Union Budget. This was estimated to fund the line to Sircilla.[6]

The Manoharabad - Siddipet portion of the line was inaugurated on 3 October 2023 with a Secunderabad-Siddipet DEMU service.[7][8]The remaining work, from Siddipet to Kothapalli, was to be completed by 2026.[9][10]

In 2024, 350 crores were allocated to the project in the Union Budget.[11]

In the year 2024, an infrastructure push by the state government laid the Foundation stone for the Komuravelli railway station to ensure easy access to the Komrelly Mallanna Temple.[12]

Stations edit

Stations include:[13]

  • Manoharabad (MOB)
  • Nacharam (NCRM)
  • Appaipally (APMR)
  • Iranagaram (IRNGR)
  • Gajwel (GJWL)
  • Kodakandla (KDKLA)
  • Lakhadaram (LKDRM)
  • Duddeda (DUDDA)
  • Siddipet (SIPT)
  • Gurralagondi (GRLND)
  • Chinnalingapur (CHLNG)
  • Sircilla (SRCLA)
  • Vemulawada, Rajanna Sircilla district (VMLWD)
  • Boinpalli(BNPLI)
  • Wedira (WEDRA)
  • Kothapalli(haveli) (KPHI)

References edit

  1. ^ Geetanath, V. (28 September 2023). "PM to commission two new railway lines in Telangana". The Hindu.
  2. ^ "Age-old wait ends; Siddipet, Sircilla & Gajwel set for rail connectivity". 16 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Siddipet to get rail connectivity by August". The Hindu. 29 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Modi lays foundation stone for new Manoharabad-Kothapalli Railway line".
  5. ^ "South Central Railway".
  6. ^ "TS gets big hike in railway budget Rs 600 crore for MMTS". 4 February 2023.
  7. ^ Geetanath, V. (28 September 2023). "PM to commission two new railway lines in Telangana". The Hindu.
  8. ^ "PM Modi to inaugurate Siddipet-Secunderabad train service on October 3". 2 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Railway line completed between Gajwel – Kodakandla. Pipa News". 28 October 2022.
  10. ^ Geetanath, V. (25 December 2023). "Two key new railway lines in Telugu States await push from State governments". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  11. ^ "SCR gets record ₹14,232 crore in budget, to spend ₹5,619 crore for new lines, track renewals". The Hindu. 2 February 2024.
  12. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (16 February 2024). "Kishan Reddy lays foundation stone for constructions of railway station at Komuravelli in Siddipet". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  13. ^ "Indian Railways Map - Railway Enquiry".

External links edit