India’s Ministry of Railways recently approved a crucial 10.5-kilometer Rail-Over-Rail project at Dornakal Junction, with an estimated budget of ₹320 crore. This strategic development is planned for the heavily utilized Vijayawada–Kazipet third line, which forms part of the bustling grand-trunk rail network.
Further expansion plans include the quadrupling of the entire Vijayawada–Kazipet section, currently under consideration. Dornakal Junction is a vital hub, with trains heading towards both Kazipet and Vijayawada, as well as Bhadrachalam Road. While a bypass exists for direct train movement between Vijayawada and Bhadrachalam, trains traveling from Vijayawada to Bhadrachalam currently face delays due to surface crossings at the junction.
The newly proposed Rail-Over-Rail structure at Dornakal will eliminate these problematic cross-movements, specifically for trains traveling from Vijayawada towards Bhadrachalam Road. This innovative solution promises to significantly reduce train detentions, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted flow of traffic. Upon completion, this project will substantially ease congestion on this critical railway section, enhancing line capacity and creating opportunities to introduce and operate a greater number of trains, according to an official press release.