Delhi-Chennai Train Operations to Improve as Railways Opens Kazipet-Balharshah Third Line

The Ministry of Railways has commissioned the Kazipet-Balharshah third line project, a 203-km stretch expected to significantly ease train operations on the busy Delhi-Chennai corridor. The project, costing approximately Rs 3,000 crore, falls under the South Central Railway (SCR) zone and aims to decongest a key route connecting northern and southern India.

According to A Sridhar, Chief Public Relations Officer of SCR, the final 11-km section between Asifabad and Sirpur Kaghaznagar, including a major bridge over the Bibra River, was completed on July 22, 2026, marking the full completion of the project. The Kazipet-Balharshah section is vital for both passenger and freight traffic, linking several coal and cement sidings along the route.

The project was sanctioned in 2015-16 to address the oversaturation caused by continuous growth in passenger and freight traffic. Initial tripling work on a 33-km stretch between Raghavapuram and Mandamarri was completed in 2016. The remaining 203-km stretch (159 km in Telangana and 44 km in Maharashtra) involved tripling and electrification, executed in phases from 2020 onwards.

While most of the section is now operational, a small stretch near Balharshah station, under the Central Railway (CR) zone, is yet to be completed. Work is underway to link the new third line with the Balharshah yard.

Sridhar stated that the project will strengthen rail infrastructure in Telangana and Maharashtra and improve train operations between Delhi and Chennai. The third line is expected to reduce congestion, enhance punctuality, and allow for more trains on the corridor.

Key benefits include smoother movement of coal and cement freight, reduced travel time for passengers, and improved connectivity between major cities. The project also supports economic growth by facilitating efficient logistics along the route.

With the completion of this project, Indian Railways continues its focus on augmenting capacity on saturated routes to meet rising demand. The Kazipet-Balharshah third line is a significant step in modernizing the national rail network.