₹13,026 Crore Allocated to South Central Railway for Major Infra Upgrade

The Union government has announced a substantial increase in funding for the South Central Railway (SCR) zone, allocating ₹13,026 crore for the 2026–27 financial year. This represents an 18.3% jump from last year’s ₹11,012 crore , underlining a strong focus on upgrading infrastructure and addressing rising passenger demand.

A significant portion of the allocation will be directed towards enhancing capacity. Of the total, ₹5,083 crore has been earmarked for track doubling, while ₹1,315 crore will fund new railway lines. Safety remains a priority, with ₹1,908 crore allocated for track renewal works, ₹683 crore for road overbridges and underbridges, and ₹403 crore for improving traffic systems. These measures are expected to speed up ongoing projects and facilitate the launch of new routes.

The SCR zone also made notable strides in the previous financial year, completing 194 km of track development. This includes a crucial 36 km new line between Mallavaram and Kanigiri. Key doubling works on routes such as Panyam–Nandyal, Basar–Navipet, and the Kazipet bypass have improved train operations. Infrastructure upgrades, including ‘Y’ connectivity and bypass lines at Tandur and Peddapalli, have further eased congestion.

On the national front, the third line along the vital Grand Trunk corridor—linking Gudur, Vijayawada, Kazipet, and Balharshah—is nearing completion. Spanning around 700 km , this project is set to boost both passenger and freight movement. Additionally, tripling works on key routes have been completed, along with electrification of 325 km .

Going forward, new bypass lines at major junctions are expected to significantly reduce congestion. The ‘Y’ connectivity at Tandur is also likely to enhance freight movement towards Mumbai.

Overall, the enhanced budget allocation is set to expand rail connectivity into rural areas while strengthening industrial transport, supporting faster growth and improved logistics across the region.