Balayogi seeks fast-track for Kotipalli–Narsapur rail line

Amalapuram MP G. M. Harish Balayogi on Monday urged the Centre to expedite the long-pending Kotipalli–Narsapur railway line while participating in the discussion on Demands for Grants of the Ministry of Railways for 2026–27 in the Lok Sabha.

Balayogi welcomed the allocation of Rs 10,134 crore for Andhra Pradesh in the Railway Budget and said improved rail connectivity is crucial to sustain the state’s economic growth. He pointed out that Andhra Pradesh, with its long coastline and major ports such as Visakhapatnam Port, Krishnapatnam Port, Gangavaram Port and Kakinada Port, has strong potential to emerge as a major logistics and export hub.

He said strengthening railway freight connectivity between ports, industrial clusters and inland districts would significantly boost trade and economic activity in the state. Balayogi also stressed the need to improve last-mile connectivity and noted that several sanctioned railway projects remain incomplete.

Among them, he cited the Vijayawada–Gudur, Bhadrachalam–Kovvuru, Kurnool–Nandyal and Guntakal–Guntur railway projects, which he said are vital for bridging connectivity gaps in different parts of the state.

Highlighting the Kotipalli–Narsapur railway line, Balayogi described it as a long-standing demand of the people of the Konaseema region. He said completion of the project would improve connectivity, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce, fisheries output and tourism, and connect local industries to markets across the country.

He also called for faster station modernisation through Public–Private Partnership models and said completing pending railway projects would help ensure balanced regional development.a