CS directs officials to fast-track railway projects in Telangana

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju has directed the concerned departments to work in close coordination with South Central Railway (SCR) officials to resolve pending issues related to ongoing railway projects in Telangana at the earliest.

The Chief Secretary held a review meeting at the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat on Monday with SCR General Manager Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, Special Chief Secretaries Vikas Raj and Naveen Mittal, and other senior officials to review the progress of various railway projects in the State.

The meeting discussed the progress of railway projects, issues hampering their implementation, land acquisition, administrative approvals required from various departments and the support to be extended by the State government for their timely completion.

Sanjay Jaju emphasised that improved railway connectivity was crucial for Telangana's economic, industrial and regional development.

He directed departmental officials and District Collectors to expedite the resolution of pending issues and ensure that projects were completed within the stipulated timelines.

Officials informed the meeting that Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for 17 railway projects covering 2,023 km, with an estimated cost of ₹50,870 crore, had been submitted to the Railway Board.

Around 21 issues were reviewed during the meeting, including construction of railway underpasses and overbridges, approach roads, road widening, doubling of railway lines and improving public transport connectivity to Charlapalli Railway Station. Sanjay Jaju directed senior officials of the concerned departments to conduct joint inspections along with SCR officials and identify appropriate solutions to resolve the pending issues.

In accordance with the directions of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, officials were also asked to prepare plans for expansion of railway lines in the Future City, Outer Ring Road (ORR) and Regional Ring Road (RRR) areas.

The Chief Secretary stressed the need for continuous coordination between State government departments and SCR officials for timely execution of railway projects. He assured that the State government would extend all necessary cooperation and support.

Jaju further directed officials to prepare comprehensive DPRs to secure funds under the Centre's PM Gati Shakti initiative. He also called for DPRs for the expansion of MMTS, establishment of railway terminals in the ORR and RRR regions around Hyderabad to meet the city's future requirements, and land acquisition for future railway connectivity, including bullet train corridors.

The Chief Secretary directed all concerned departments to work in close coordination to accelerate the development of railway infrastructure essential for Telangana's future growth and development.