Reportedly Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday inaugurated the longest electrified railway tunnel in the country, in Andhra Pradesh. Meanwhile the 112 km long railway line project between Krishnapatnam port and Obulavaripalli was constructed to ensure smooth transportation of minerals and industrial goods to and from the port. Furthermore as part of the project, two tunnels were constructed; one which is 6.7 km long and another, which is 1 km long.
Venkaiah Naidu said after the inauguration "I am delighted to visit the country's longest electrified tunnel between Cherlopalli and Rapuru railway stations, constructed in a horseshoe design. This 6.7 km long tunnel constructed at a cost of Rs 437 cr has been rightly described as an engineering marvel. The tunnel opens viable rail connectivity between Krishnapatnam Port and its hinterland for goods train services and facilitates seamless freight transport".
It was built at a total cost of Rs 1,993 crore, the project acquired land spread across 1,900 acres and has 9 stations along the route. The Vice President stated "In addition to serving the freight customer needs, upon my suggestion the Railways Minister has agreed to operate passenger services also on this route, to give an added advantage to the general public of this region and to provide additional traveling facility for the people. Once passenger services start in this new line, it will provide safe and economic mode of transport for the people of this area”.
