Guntakal–Renigunta section

Guntakal–Renigunta section connects Guntakal and Renigunta in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is administered under Guntakal railway division of South Central Railway zone. It has a total route length of 309.50 km (192.31 mi).[2][3]

Guntakal–Renigunta section
The prestigious Chennai Mumbai Mail runs along this section.
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerIndian Railways
LocaleAndhra Pradesh
Termini
Service
Operator(s)South Central Railway
Technical
Line length144.30 km (89.66 mi)
Track gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge
ElectrificationYes
Route map

km
to Solapur–Guntakal section
to Guntakal–Vasco da Gama section
0
Guntakal
to Guntakal–Nandyal section
to Guntakal–Bangalore section
3
Timmanacherla
12
Nakkanadoddi
17
Patakottacheruvu
to Pendekullam
28
Gooty
to Dharmavaram
40
Jakkalacheruvu
52
Rayalacheruvu
58
Vemulapadu
Ultratech Cement
64
Jutturu
Penna River
70
Komali
77
Tadipatri
83
Challavaripalli
89
Vanganur
97
Regadipalli
Chitravathi River
105
Kondapuram
114
Mangapatnam
120
Chintakunta
128
Muddanaru
State Highway 28
Rayalaseema TPS
137
Kalamalia
to Nandyal–Yerraguntla section
144
Yerraguntla
Zuari Cements
153
Yerragudipad
160
Kamalapuram
Papagni River
167
Gangavpalle
Kadapa Airport
176
Krishnapuram
Kadapa Bypass Road
Kadapa Road
to Kadapa–Bangalore section
184
Kadapa (Cuddapah)
Kadapa Ring Road
195
Kanamalo Palle
200
Bhakarapet
206
Ontimitta
217
Mantapampalle
224
Nandalur
Cheyyeru River
230
Hastavarmu
235
Razampeta
244
Pullampet
248
Reddipalle
Nadikudi–Srikalahasti section
255
Obulavaripalli
261
Anantarajupet
268
Koduru
277
Settigunta
284
Balapalle
295
Mamandru
to Gudur–Chennai section
309
Renigunta / Tirupati Airport
to Gudur–Chennai section
to Gudur–Chennai section
Sources:[1]

History

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The first train service in southern India and the third in India was operated by Madras Railway from Royapuram / Veyasarapady to Wallajah Road (Arcot) in 1856. Madras Railway extended its trunk route to Beypur / Kadalundi (near Calicut) and initiated work on a north-western branch out of Arakkonam in 1861. The branch line reached Renigunta in 1862.[4] The branch line out of Arakkonam reached Raichur in 1871, where it connected to the Great Indian Peninsula Railway line from Mumbai.[5]

Railway reorganization

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In the early 1950s legislation was passed authorizing the central government to take over independent railway systems that were there. On 14 April 1951 the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway, the South Indian Railway Company and Mysore State Railway were merged to form Southern Railway. Subsequently, Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway was also merged into Southern Railway. On 2 October 1966, the Secunderabad, Solapur, Hubli and Vijayawada Divisions, covering the former territories of Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway and certain portions of Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway were separated from Southern Railway to form the South Central Railway. In 1977, Guntakal division of Southern Railway was transferred to South Central Railway and the Solapur division transferred to Central Railway. Amongst the seven new zones created in 2003 was South Western Railway, which was carved out of Southern Railway.[6]

Electrification

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Electrification of the 308 km long Renigunta–Guntakal section was announced in 2003 at a cost of Rs. 168 crore. The Renigunta–Nandalur sector electrification was completed in 2006.[7][8] The Nandalur-Guntakal sector was electrified by 2013.[9]

Connectivity

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Obulavaripalli in this line connects the newly constructing Krishnapatnam–Obulavaripalle railway line.

Speed limit

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As of 2022, doubling and electrification of the Renigunta–Guntakal section has been completed and commissioned with 130 KM Max. Permissible Speed. [10]

Sheds and workshops

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Diesel Loco Shed, Guntakal was started as a metre-gauge shed but after gauge conversions in Guntakal and Hubli divisions a broad-gauge shed was opened in 1995. It houses WDM-2, WDM-3A, WDM-3D and WDG-3A locos. There is a routine overhaul depot for wagon maintenance at Raichur and a coaching maintenance depot at Guntakal.[11]

Diesel Loco Shed, Gooty has one of the largest sheds with 175+ locos that include WDG-3A, WDM-3A, WDM-3D, WDG-4, WDP-4 diesel locos. It also handles routine maintenance for WDG-4 locos. It earlier used to be broad-gauge steam loco shed.[11] Renigunta has an electric trip shed.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "Mumbai Dadar-Chennai Egmore Superfast Express 12163". India Rail Info.
  2. ^ "Section Wise Route (kms [sic])". South Central Railway. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  3. ^ "Guntakal Railway Division System Map". South Central Railway. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  4. ^ "IR History – Early days". 1832–1869. IRFCA. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  5. ^ "IR History:Early days II". 1870–1899. IRFCA. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  6. ^ "Geography – Railway Zones". IRFCA. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  7. ^ "Renigunta–Guntakal Railway Electrification Project". Progress Register. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  8. ^ "Rail Projects in Andhra Pradesh". Press Information Bureau. 21 November 2006. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  9. ^ "Brief on Railway Electrification". Electrification Work in Progress. Central Organisation for Railway Electrification. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  10. ^ "Kadapa–Bangalore railway line in 7 years". The Hindu. 13 March 2012. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  11. ^ a b c "Sheds and Workshops". IRFCA. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
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