Fast-Track Transit: CM Revanth Reddy Pushes for Telangana High-Speed Rail
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy meets Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to expedite high-speed rail corridors and new railway lines for the state.
In a significant move to overhaul the state's connectivity and industrial growth, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has urged the Union government to accelerate the implementation of high-speed rail corridors. During a high-level meeting with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at Rail Bhavan in New Delhi on Friday, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for swift action to bring these ambitious projects to fruition.
The High-Speed Vision: Three Key Corridors
The Chief Minister briefed the Union Minister on the state's progress regarding the proposed high-speed rail networks. Telangana has reviewed the proposals sent by the Centre for three critical corridors:
- Hyderabad–Pune
- Hyderabad–Bengaluru
- Hyderabad–Chennai
CM Revanth Reddy noted that the state government has already submitted revised proposals incorporating specific suggestions. He clarified that the land acquisition process for these corridors has not yet begun, as the state is waiting for the central government to finalize and approve the alignment. He requested that this process be completed urgently so that land acquisition can commence.
Industrial Hubs and Strategic Rail Links
Beyond high-speed rail, the meeting touched upon critical infrastructure projects designed to spur economic activity in specific regions of Telangana.
The Vikarabad-Krishna Line
The Chief Minister sought the immediate sanction of a new 130 km railway line between Vikarabad and Krishna. Highlighting the economic potential of the region, Reddy informed Minister Vaishnaw that massive limestone deposits have been discovered near Tekalkode in the Vikarabad district. The state government envisions transforming this area into a major hub for the cement and textile industries, making the railway link essential for logistics.
The Regional Ring Rail Concept
In a forward-looking proposal, the CM discussed the importance of establishing a 'Regional Ring Rail' to run alongside the 360 km Regional Ring Road (RRR) currently under construction around Hyderabad. He stressed that such a project would not only improve transit but also generate substantial employment opportunities for the local population.
Demand for New Lines and Mega Depots
The Chief Minister presented a comprehensive list of other railway lines that require immediate approval to enhance the state's connectivity:
- Dornakal–Gadwal
- Kalwakurthy–Macherla
- Kacheguda–Jaggayyapeta (250 km)
- Patancheru–Adilabad (320 km)
- Bodhan–Latur (175 km)
- Akannapet bypass line (8 km)
Furthermore, the CM appealed for the sanction of a prestigious mega coaching and freight maintenance depot at Anantaram village, near Mahabubabad. This project, proposed by the South Central Railway, is of high priority. To demonstrate the state's commitment, Reddy informed the Union Minister that Telangana has already agreed to hand over 409 acres and 1 gunta of land required for the depot's establishment.
High-Level Representation
The meeting saw the participation of several key officials and representatives, including Minister Vivek Venkataswamy, MPs Mallu Ravi, Vem Narendar Reddy, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, Balram Naik, Gaddam Vamshi Krishna, and Anil Kumar Yadav. Also present were State Advisor K Ramakrishna Rao, HMDA Commissioner Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Resident Commissioner of Telangana Bhavan, Advait Kumar Singh.