Good news for the people of Telugu states! Travel times are set to dramatically decrease with the introduction of a new semi-high-speed rail corridor. What once took a taxing 12 hours to journey from Shamshabad Airport to Visakhapatnam will now be completed in just 4 hours. Similarly, the trip from Visakhapatnam to Hyderabad will also take only 4 hours, making travel between these key locations quicker and more efficient.
The alignment for the Shamshabad-Visakhapatnam semi-high-speed rail corridor has been finalized. This significant route will travel through Suryapet and Vijayawada, with another corridor planned to be constructed in Kurnool. This new semi-high-speed rail will commence in Visakhapatnam and extend to Kurnool, passing through Suryapet, Nalgonda, Kalvakurti, and Nagarkurnool.
The Preliminary Engineering and Traffic (PET) survey for this corridor has reached its final stages and is set to be submitted to the Railway Board in November. This alignment is expected to connect both major airports—Shamshabad and Rajamahendravaram—making it an integral part of the semi-high-speed rail corridor.
Designed to operate at speeds of up to 220 km/h, the new rail system will significantly cut travel time. Currently, the journey from Shamshabad Airport to Visakhapatnam can take up to 12 hours, with the existing Vande Bharat service requiring around 8.5 hours. The new semi-high-speed rail aims to provide a more comfortable and efficient travel option for commuters.
Since the bifurcation of the state, there has been a substantial increase in traffic between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, with thousands commuting daily for work and business. This high-speed rail corridor is not only expected to connect the capitals of the two Telugu states but also enhance trade, and facilitate the import and export of goods.
For decades, residents have voiced the need for a railway line along the Hyderabad-Vijayawada National Highway. Former MPs from Nalgonda consistently brought this issue to the Centre’s attention. The central government has now recognized the needs of both states and has approved the establishment of this vital rail corridor.
The completion of this project is anticipated to fulfill the long-standing aspirations of the residents of Ranga Reddy, Nalgonda, and Krishna districts of Andhra Pradesh. Once the high-speed rail corridor is operational, the 900 km journey from Shamshabad International Airport to Visakhapatnam will be reduced to less than four and a half hours, providing a significant boost to connectivity and convenience for all commuters.
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