₹108 crore 4-lane ROB between Guntur and Nambur stations: Work to begin soon
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A ₹108 crore, four-lane Road Over Bridge (ROB) connecting the areas between Guntur and Nambur railway stations is set to begin construction shortly, the Ministry of Railways announced on Saturday, 26 September. The foundation stone for the project was laid as part of the Centre's push for rail safety and urban mobility under the 'New Railways, New Andhra Pradesh' initiative.
Key Details of the Project
The bridge will span 668 metres and feature four lanes, replacing Level Crossing Gate No. 3 on the Guntur-Krishna Canal section of the Guntur-Nambur line. Situated near the Inner Ring Road of Guntur City, the ROB will directly link Bus Stand Road with Gorantla Village. The project will require 2.9 acres of land for its construction.
What the Ministers Said
The foundation stone was laid by Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti, V. Somanna, in the presence of Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar. Somanna emphasised that Indian Railways accords top priority to passenger safety and operational efficiency, and that eliminating level crossing gates through modern ROBs and Road Under Bridges (RUBs) is an essential step toward achieving zero accidents and improved punctuality. He added that the Central Government is modernising rail infrastructure 'at an unprecedented pace' across Andhra Pradesh.
Dr. Pemmasani stated that the Centre remains firmly dedicated to the rapid expansion of Andhra Pradesh's transport infrastructure, noting that close synergy between Central and state departments is fast-tracking key road and rail projects in the Guntur region to resolve long-standing traffic bottlenecks.
Benefits for Commuters and the Region
Once operational, the ROB is expected to eliminate gate detentions at the existing level crossing, ensuring seamless vehicular flow, reduced fuel wastage, and enhanced train punctuality. Authorities say the project will also contribute to broader socio-economic development in the Guntur region by improving last-mile connectivity. This comes amid the Centre's wider drive to remove unmanned and manned level crossings across India's rail network — a programme that has been underway since the 2014-era rail safety overhaul.
Wider Infrastructure Push in Andhra Pradesh
The ROB announcement is part of a larger infrastructure upgrade in the state. According to the Ministry of Railways, 74 railway stations in Andhra Pradesh are being upgraded with modern, world-class amenities under an investment of ₹3,500 crore. The Guntur-Nambur ROB project adds to this momentum, reinforcing the region's strategic importance in the state's connectivity blueprint.