In a significant boost to India’s freight transportation network, the Union Cabinet has approved a ₹1,264-crore railway capacity expansion project to add a third and fourth rail line on the Ballari–Guntakal section, a key freight corridor connecting Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
The project, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan aimed at enhancing multimodal logistics infrastructure and improving cargo movement across the country.
Announcing the decision, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the Ballari–Guntakal section serves as an important economic corridor supporting industrial and mineral transportation between the two states. He also confirmed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed Hospet–Hubballi railway line is under preparation.
Scheduled for completion by 2028-29, the multi-tracking project will add approximately 46 kilometres to the Indian Railways network while improving connectivity across three districts in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Major Boost for Bulk Freight
The Ballari–Guntakal corridor is one of South India’s busiest freight routes, handling large volumes of iron ore, steel, limestone, dolomite, coal, fertilisers and food grains. The additional rail capacity is expected to support 16.22 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of incremental freight traffic, significantly improving the movement of bulk commodities from mining and industrial regions to ports, manufacturing hubs and consumption centres.
The expansion is expected to ease congestion on the existing route, improve train scheduling and reduce transit times, enabling more efficient freight operations for Indian Railways and logistics stakeholders.
Lower Logistics Costs and Higher Efficiency
By increasing line capacity, the project will enhance operational efficiency, improve service reliability and reduce bottlenecks on one of the country’s critical freight corridors. The strengthened rail infrastructure is expected to lower logistics costs by enabling faster and more reliable transportation of industrial cargo while reducing dependence on road transport.
The project also supports the objectives of PM Gati Shakti by improving multimodal connectivity and strengthening India’s integrated logistics ecosystem.
Environmental Benefits
The government estimates the project will save approximately 1.32 crore litres of fuel and reduce 6.67 crore kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions, supporting India’s sustainability and decarbonisation goals through greater modal shift from road to rail.
In addition to its freight benefits, the project will improve passenger mobility, enhance connectivity to nearly 99 villages with a combined population of around seven lakh, and provide better rail access to tourist destinations such as Ballari Fort and Sri Kumara Swamy Temple.
The railway expansion is expected to play an important role in supporting regional industrial growth, improving supply chain efficiency and strengthening India’s freight infrastructure under the government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
