Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu commissioned a new railway line between Nandyala and Yerraguntla. They also flagged off a new passenger train between Nandyala and Kadapa. They inaugurated the facilities through a remote video link from Vijayawada in the presence of Union I&B and Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, state ministers, MPs and senior railway officials.

• The 123-km railway line was built at a cost of Rs 967 crore and connects Kurnool and Kadapa districts of Andhra Pradesh. This will also directly connect the Rayalaseema region with the state’s new capital Amaravati.

• The new line will gave a fillip to industrial activity in Kurnool and Kadapa districts that have a large mineral base, particularly the cement industry.

• There will be eight stations between Nandyala and Yerraguntla with no unmanned level crossing for a length of 75 kms out of the entire stretch. The passenger train will provide access to large parts of Kurnool and Kadapa districts and cater mostly to traders, students and employees commuting between Nandyala and Kadapa. It will also connect holy places like Yaganti Venkateswara Swamy temple, Hussain Shah Vali Dargah and Jain temple at Danavulapadu