Kakinada:Konaseema people have no hopes that the Kotipalli-Narsapur (KN) railway line will be completed ahead of the Godavari Pushkaralu in 2027, given the prevailing situation.
The project, which has been grossly neglected, should have been completed four years ago. But due to the government’s indifference, the railway line remains unfinished.
During the Telugu Desam rule in 2014–19, central government had sanctioned ₹2,120 crore for the Kotipalli-Narsapur line. Subsequently, its cost had been escalated to ₹2,890 crore. According to the present Amalapuram Lok Sabha member G. Harish Mathur, the project cost is now around ₹4,000 crore.
The Kotipalli-Narsapur line is to be implemented on a cost sharing basis. The state government’s share will come by way of land acquisition and other costs. The central government has released ₹1,200 crore and completed the construction of 45 pillars across Godavari River between Kotipalli and Muktheswaram, 22 pillars of Bodasakurru bridge and 20 pillars at Chinchinada-Narsapuram bridge.
However, due to non-payment of state government’s share, the Railways stopped the remaining works. Further, the government has to acquire nearly 900 acres of land, but has acquired only 300 acres so far.
MP Harish Mathur told Deccan Chronicle that land acquisition had stalled due to court litigation. But with the court disposing of the case, acquiring land will now become easier. He said the rail project has now become more viable due to rapid industrial growth in AP and development of numerous ports.
Konaseema Railway Sadhana Samithi convener E.R. Subrahmanyam said it is unfortunate that the state government is yet to implement its part of the deal. He asked people’s representatives to exert pressure on the government for completion of the project.
“We had high hopes that the project will be completed ahead of the Godavari Pushkaralu 2027 and be of help to people. The delay will mean stalling the growth of aqua, coconut, cocoa, tourism, and other sectors in AP. He requested both the central and state governments to complete the project at the earliest.
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*** Then union Railway minister Mamata Banerjee laid the stone for 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 G.M.C. Balayogi.
In 2018, Railways sanctioned ₹2,120 crore for the project. Currently, work on the railway line remains stalled.
People of Antarvedi launch agitation for Kotipalli-Narsapur railway line
Kakinada:People of Antarvedi, where the famous Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Shrine is located in Konaseema district, are agitating over the failure of the central and state governments in promoting Antarvedi as a religious tourism centre.
They said setting up of a railway station near their village as part of the Kotipalli-Narsapur railway line would have given a boost to the famous temple. It would have made it easier for pilgrims to visit the temple.
As part of their agitation, people of Antarvedi are erecting banners demanding that the railway line be completed and a railway station established at Antarvedi. They allege that politics has played a role in the railway line being denied to them so far.
Ex-Antarvedi village sarpanch Pothoju Kishore said originally, the railway station should have come up at Antarvedi. But politically influential people have shifted the railway station to Dindi. Kishore said people are forming a committee to agitate and ensure that the railway station is established at Antarvedi.
Amalapuram MP G. Harish Mathur and Konaseema Railway Sadhana Samithi convener E.R. Subrahmanyam are supporting the demand of Antarvedi people. Harish Mathur said the demand is justified and he would make all efforts to ensure that the railway station comes up at Antarvedi.
Subrahmanyam said once the railway line and national highway are connected to Antarvedi, it will become a famous pilgrim centre.
Godavari Districts Railway Passengers Association president Gatti Satyanarayana and general secretary D.N. Ramesh are supporting the agitation launched by the people of Antarvedi.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
