South Central Railway (SCR) held an important meeting on October 24, 2024, in Secunderabad. Members of Parliament (MPs) from Telangana and Karnataka attended the meeting, along with Shri G. Kishan Reddy, the Union Minister of Coal and Mines. The goal was to review railway developments and hear from representatives on local needs.
SCR’s Performance and Progress
SCR General Manager Shri Arun Kumar Jain opened the meeting with a summary of SCR’s recent progress. Highlights included enhanced passenger services, freight transport, digital updates, and new train services. The officials reported that SCR has achieved record freight loading of 141 million tonnes in 2023-24, generating revenue of ₹13,620 crore, the highest in SCR’s history.
Development Projects in Telangana
Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy shared updates on major infrastructure projects. Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 40 stations in Telangana are being revamped with a budget of ₹2,635 crore. Additionally, SCR is working on expanding the Ghatkesar-Yadadri MMTS line. Projects worth ₹83,000 crore are ongoing across SCR’s jurisdiction, including new line additions and station upgrades.
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Focus on Rail Safety and Connectivity
SCR has been focused on safety and connectivity improvements, especially in Telangana. Over the past decade, 67 new train services, including five Vande Bharat Express trains, have been introduced. In the same period, SCR constructed 268 Road Under Bridges (RUBs) and 40 Road Over Bridges (ROBs), improving road and rail safety. To further enhance passenger comfort, 64 lifts and 27 escalators have been installed across 29 Telangana stations.
MPs Share Local Railway Needs
MPs praised SCR’s achievements and shared additional demands for their regions. Their requests included new rail lines, additional train services, more train stops, and further safety measures like ROBs and RUBs. They emphasized the importance of improved passenger amenities in their areas.
Moving Forward
The General Manager assured that these suggestions will guide future plans. SCR aims to incorporate feedback from MPs into their project proposals to better serve the people of Telangana and Karnataka. The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue improving rail connectivity and services in the region.