Cabinet approves one multitracking project covering three Districts across Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, increasing the existing network of Indian Railways by about 46 Kms

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the 3rd and 4th line (multitracking) of the Ballari‑Guntakal section spanning three districts in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The project will add about 46 km to the Indian Railways network, cost Rs 1,264 crore and is slated for completion by 2028‑29. It will link roughly 99 villages with a combined population of about seven lakh, enhance freight capacity by 16.22 MTPA, and support transport of commodities such as iron ore, limestone, coal and fertilizers. The Railways project is expected to reduce oil imports by 1.32 crore litres, cut CO₂ emissions by 6.67 crore kg (equivalent to planting 0.27 crore trees), and improve connectivity to tourist sites like Ballari Fort and Sri Kumara Swamy Temple.