South Central Railway seeks nod for ₹2,520-cr Kalwakurthy–Macherla line
HYDERABAD: Efforts to improve railway connectivity between the Telugu states have gained pace with the proposed Kalwakurthy–Macherla railway line moving to the next stage. The South Central Railway (SCR) has written to the Railway Board seeking approval for the Final Location Survey (FLS) of the project.
Initially planned to cover 100 km at an estimated cost of ₹2,000 crore, the project’s revised alignment has increased its length to 126 km, raising the estimated expenditure to ₹2,520 crore — roughly ₹20 crore per km.
In July, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had urged Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to sanction the project, connecting Kalwakurthy in Telangana with Macherla in Andhra Pradesh. Following the request, SCR has now forwarded a formal letter to the Board.
Chief Minister’s native village lies on proposed route
The proposed route passes through Kondareddypalli, the native village of CM Revanth Reddy. Officials said once the Railway Board grants approval for the FLS, it will mark a crucial step towards construction.
The FLS will determine the precise alignment, station locations, and engineering parameters based on the terrain.
Telangana seeks full central funding
The Chief Minister has requested the Centre to take up the Kalwakurthy–Macherla project with 100% central funding. Once approved and funded, the railway line is expected to strengthen transport, trade, and tourism between the two Telugu states.
The line will bring rail connectivity to Kalwakurthy, Devarakonda, Mallepalli, and Chalakkurthy, eventually linking Telangana with Guntur through Macherla. Officials said the Telangana government also plans to coordinate with the Andhra Pradesh government to secure central clearance for the project.
