South Western Railway (SWR) has commissioned a crucial 30-km doubled track between Makajipalli and Dharmavaram in southern Andhra Pradesh, marking a significant milestone in improving rail connectivity between Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The newly commissioned stretch has been authorized for operations at a maximum speed of 110 kmph by the commissioner of railway safety, with trial runs successfully conducted at speeds up to 121 kmph.
The completion of this section marks the finalization of the entire doubling project between Penukonda and Dharmavaram, with the highest sanctioned speed of 110 kmph. The infrastructure development included construction of 66 minor bridges, 15 road underbridges, 1 foot overbridge, and the development of 1 station yard comprising 5 lines. During trial runs, the oscillation monitoring system recorded no abnormal peaks, confirming the track’s safety standards.
Railway authorities are now focusing on a further speed upgrade for the stretch between Yelahanka in north Bengaluru and Dharmavaram in southern Andhra Pradesh. This section is scheduled to achieve operational speeds of 130 kmph by March, which will significantly reduce travel time on the corridor.
The 161-km corridor is expected to benefit several high-occupancy trains operating between the two major cities. The Yeshwantpur-Kacheguda Vande Bharat Express will be among the primary beneficiaries of this infrastructure upgrade, along with other passenger services on this busy route.
The doubling and speed enhancement project represents a major investment in rail infrastructure aimed at meeting growing passenger demand between Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The improved track quality and increased speed limits will enable more efficient train operations and better time management for long-distance services.
Passengers traveling to Andhra Pradesh from Bengaluru have long awaited faster connectivity options. The completion of this project addresses those concerns by providing a more efficient rail corridor that can accommodate higher speeds while maintaining safety standards.
The commissioning of the doubled track and the upcoming speed upgrade to 130 kmph by March will transform rail travel on this important corridor, offering passengers reduced journey times and improved service reliability on one of South India’s busiest rail routes.
