New railway line between Nandyala and Yerraguntla commissioned

Vijayawada, Aug 23 (PTI) Union Railway Minister SureshPrabhu and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidutoday commissioned a new railway line between Nandyala andYerraguntla, which Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidudescribed as the "dream of (late Prime Minister) PV NarasimhaRao." The Union Ministers and Chandrababu also flagged off anew passenger train between Nandyala and Kadapa on theoccasion. They inaugurated the facilities through a remote videolink from Vijayawada in the presence of state ministers, MPsand senior railway officials. Noting that poor connectivity caused disparities in growthof different regions within a particular state, Prabhusaid, "we want to make sure connectivity will be thekeystone." The 29 states make a "big family of India", theRailway Minister pointed out, adding the country grows if thestates grow. "For this, infrastructure is needed and the railwayshas to provide most of it as it is the important backbone ofindustry and socio-economic development," Prabhu added. Venkaiah Naidu said the Nandyala-Yerraguntla railwayline was a dream of the late Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao. "He represented Nandyala in Lok Sabha. His dream has nowcome true. You can calculate how many years it took forthat to happen," Venkaiah observed. "As it would take 40 years to complete all railwayprojects promised so far, Prime Minister Narendra Modi askedSuresh Prabhu not to take up any new projects," he said. "It’s a gigantic task Prabhu is facing," he remarked. The 123-km railway line was built at a cost of Rs 967crore and connects Kurnool and Kadapa districts of AndhraPradesh. This will also directly connect the Rayalaseema regionwith the state’s new capital Amaravati. The new line will gavea fillip to industrial activity in Kurnool and Kadapadistricts that have a large mineral base, particularly thecement industry. There will be eight stations between Nandyala andYerraguntla with no unmanned level crossing for a length of 75kms out of the entire stretch. (More) PTI DBV NRBMNGJMF