Konaseema People Lose Hope of KN Railway Line by 2027 Pushkaralu
kakinada:The people of Konaseema have no hope that the Kotipalli-Narsapur (KN) railway line will be completed by 2027 before Godavari Pushkaralu, considering the current situation.
The largely neglected project was supposed to be completed four years ago. However, due to the government’s indifference, the railway line remains unfinished.
During the Telugu Desam rule in 2014-19, the central government had sanctioned ₹ 2,120 crore for the Kotipalli-Narsapur line. Later, its cost was increased to ₹2,890 crore. According to current Amalapuram Lok Sabha member G. Harish Mathur, the cost of the project is currently around ₹ 4,000 crore.
Kotipalli-Narsapur line will be implemented on cost sharing basis. The state government’s share will come from land acquisition and other costs. The central government released ₹1,200 crore and completed the construction of 45 pillars along the Godavari River between Kotipalli and Muktheswaram, 22 pillars of the Bodasakurru bridge and 20 pillars on the Chinchinada-Narsapuram bridge.
However, due to non-payment of state share, the Railways stopped the remaining works. Moreover, the government is supposed to acquire around 900 acres of land, but has purchased only 300 acres so far.
MP Harish Mathur told Deccan Chronicle that land acquisition has stalled due to the court case. However, once the court decides the case, land acquisition will now become easier. He said the railway project has now become more feasible due to rapid industrial growth in AP and the development of numerous ports.
Konaseema Railway Sadhana Samithi convener ER Subrahmanyam said it was unfortunate that the state government was yet to implement its part of the agreement. He asked people’s representatives to put pressure on the government to complete the project.
“We had high hopes that the project would be completed before Godavari Pushkaralu 2027 and would be beneficial to the people. Delay would mean a halt to the growth of water, coconut, cocoa, tourism and other sectors in AP. He requested both the central and state governments to complete the project at the earliest.”
Infographics:
*** The then Railway minister Mamata Banerjee laid the stone for the construction of the Kotipalli-Narsapur railway line on November 18, 2000, in the presence of then Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and then Lok Sabha speaker GMC Balayogi.
In 2018, the Railways approved ₹2,120 crore for the project. Currently, work on the railway line has stopped.
Antarvedi people launch agitation for Kotipalli-Narsapur railway line
Kakinada:The people of Antarvedi, where the famous Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is located in Konaseema district, are angry over the failure of the central and state governments to promote Antarvedi as a religious tourism destination.
They said setting up a railway station near their village as part of the Kotipalli-Narsapur railway line would give impetus to the famous temple. This would make it easier for pilgrims to visit the temple.
As part of the agitation, people of Antarvedi are erecting banners demanding the completion of the railway line and the establishment of a railway station in Antarvedi. They claim that politics played a role in why the railway line was not given to them until today.
Former Antarvedi village sarpanch Pothoju Kishore initially said that the railway station should come to Antarvedi. However, politically influential people shifted the railway station to Dindi. Kishore said people have formed a committee to take action and ensure establishment of railway station at Antarvedi.
Amalapuram MP G. Harish Mathur and Konaseema Railway Sadhana Samithi convener ER Subrahmanyam support the demand of the people of Antarvedi. Harish Mathur said that the demand is justified and he will make every effort to ensure that the railway station comes to Antarvedi.
Subrahmanyam said once the railway line and national highway connect to Antarvedi, it will become a famous pilgrimage centre.
Godavari Districts Railway Passengers Association president Gatti Satyanarayana and general secretary DN Ramesh support the agitation started by the people of Antarvedi.
