Hyderabad: Union Minister G Kishan Reddy highlighted the historical significance of the Kacheguda Railway Station and its commitment to using green energy for environmental protection.
On Monday, Reddy attended the inauguration of the station’s new façade lighting, funded by the Central Tourism Department at Rs 2.23 crore. He mentioned that the Indian Green Building Council awarded the station a platinum rating for sustainability. It stands out as the most energy-efficient station in Indian Railways and was the first to offer digital payment services.
Recognizing its importance, the station will undergo redevelopment with Rs 421.66 crore under the Amrit Bharat Railway Station Scheme. Across the state, 40 stations are being revamped for Rs 2,750 crore to meet future demands over the next 30 years.
Reddy recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the revamped Begumpet, Karimnagar, and Warangal stations, aiming to provide world-class facilities. He also mentioned the opening of the Cherlapalli Railway Station, built for Rs 430 crore, to ease congestion in the city.
The railway sector in Telangana has advanced significantly in the past 11 years. The Union Minister noted that during this time, the road network doubled, and the railway network tripled. Since 2014, Rs 30,832 crore has been allocated for railway development in the state.
This year’s railway budget for Telangana is Rs 5,337 crore, twenty times the 2014-15 allocation. Current projects total Rs 42,219 crore. The construction rate increased from an average of 17.4 km per year to 55 km after Modi took office.
Regions like Medak and Siddipet now have railway services for the first time. Telangana introduced the indigenous railway protection system ‘Kavach,’ now used nationwide.
To boost research, a ‘Kavach Centre of Excellence’ has been set up in Secunderabad. The Central government is ensuring thorough research is conducted at this center in the future.
