Guntur, September 26: A foundation stone was laid on Saturday for a four-lane Road Over Bridge (ROB) between Guntur and Nambur railway stations, marking a major infrastructure initiative aimed at improving urban mobility and railway safety in Guntur.
The project, estimated to cost ₹108 crore, will be fully funded by the Ministry of Railways. The 668-metre-long bridge will replace Level Crossing (LC) Gate No. 3 on the Guntur-Krishna Canal section of the Guntur-Nambur line.
The foundation stone was laid by Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V. Somanna, along with Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar.
Located near Guntur City’s Inner Ring Road, the proposed ROB will directly connect Bus Stand Road with Gorantla Village. The project will require approximately 2.9 acres of land, with construction scheduled to begin shortly.
Focus on Rail Safety and Traffic Decongestion
Speaking at the event, V. Somanna said passenger safety and operational efficiency remain key priorities for Indian Railways. He highlighted the elimination of level crossings through Road Over Bridges and Road Under Bridges as an important measure for improving safety and reducing delays.
The new ROB is expected to facilitate smoother movement of road traffic, reduce vehicle waiting time at the railway crossing and help save fuel. It is also expected to improve connectivity within Guntur and contribute to regional socio-economic development.
Somanna further said railway infrastructure across Andhra Pradesh is undergoing significant modernisation. According to the Ministry, 74 railway stations in the state are being upgraded with modern amenities, involving an investment of around ₹3,500 crore.
Centre Highlights Infrastructure Push
Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said the Central Government remains committed to expanding transport infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh. He highlighted coordination between Central and State departments in advancing road and rail projects in the Guntur region.
According to the Ministry, the coordination is aimed at addressing longstanding traffic bottlenecks and improving connectivity for residents.
Earlier, South Coast Railway General Manager Sandeep Mathur welcomed the dignitaries and outlined ongoing capital and safety works in the railway zone. Guntur Divisional Railway Manager Sudheshna Sen coordinated the programme.
Several public representatives, railway officials and local residents attended the event, including Rajya Sabha MP Bashyam Ramakrishna, Ponnur MLA Dhulipalla Narendra Kumar, East Guntur MLA Mohammed Nazeer, West Guntur MLA Galla Madhavi and Prathipadu MLA B. R. Ramanjaneyulu.
Project at a Glance
- Project: Four-lane Road Over Bridge replacing LC Gate No. 3
- Location: Guntur-Nambur section, Guntur-Krishna Canal
- Estimated Cost: ₹108 crore
- Funding: 100% by Ministry of Railways
- Length: 668 metres
- Land Requirement: 2.9 acres
- Key Benefits: Improved road connectivity, reduced level-crossing delays, fuel savings, smoother traffic movement and enhanced railway safety
