Delhi-Chennai rail corridor: The train operations on the Delhi-Chennai route are expected to improve after the Ministry of Railways commissioned the Kazipet-Balharshah third line project. The 203-km-long project was completed at a cost of around Rs 3,000 crore and falls under the South Central Railway (SCR) zone.According to A Sridhar, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of South Central Railway (SCR), the Kazipet-Balharshah section is an important rail link connecting northern and southern India. He said the final 11-km stretch between Asifabad and Sirpur Kaghaznagar, along with a key bridge over the Bibra River, was completed on July 22, 2026, marking the completion of the entire project. Indian Railways has opened the Kazipet-Balharshah third line (Image: SCR)Kazipet-Balharshah third line projectApart from passenger services, the Kazipet-Balharshah section is also an important freight corridor. The route connects several coal and cement sidings located along the section.“The rail link between Kazipet and Balharshah has been witnessing continuous growth of both Passenger and Freight traffic, leading to oversaturation of this section. To decongest this vital section, initially the tripling works between Raghavapuram – Mandamarri for a distance of 33 Kms were completed in the year 2016.To further ease the traffic, tripling & electrification works on the remaining stretch of Kazipet-Balharshah section, for a distance of 203 Kms (Telangana-159 Kms & Maharashtra-44 Kms) were sanctioned in the year 2015-16,” the CPRO said.The railway official said that the entire Kazipet-Balharshah section has now been tripled and electrified, and most of it has been commissioned. Only a small stretch near Balharshah station, which falls under the Central Railway (CR) zone, is yet to be completed. Work is currently underway to connect the newly laid third line with the Balharshah yard.“The sections between Kazipet-Balharshah were completed in different phases starting from the year 2020 until date. The entire project now stands completed giving boost to the rail infrastructure in Telangana and Maharashtra,” he said.Story continues below this adSignificance of Kazipet-Balharshah third line projectSridhar further said that Kazipet-Balharshah third line project will significantly strengthen rail transport infrastructure in Telangana and Maharashtra. He also stated that train operations will also improve between Delhi and Chennai. A look at the benefits of newly commissioned Kazipet-Balharshah third line:Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com. Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks. ... Read More