Kishan Reddy announces new DEMU halt at Komuravelli temple
Synopsis
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy announced on 25 July 2026 that DEMU trains 77653–77656 on the Siddipet–Secunderabad route will now stop at Komuravelli Punyakshetram Station, easing access for pilgrims visiting the Mallana Swamy Temple in Siddipet district, Telangana.
Key Takeaways
Four DEMU services — Train Nos.
77653, 77654, 77655, and 77656 — will get a new halt at Komuravelli Punyakshetram Station .
The revised route runs: Siddipet → Duddeda → Komuravelli Punyakshetram → Lakhudaram → Secunderabad .
The halt is designed to serve pilgrims visiting the Mallana Swamy Temple , a revered Shiva shrine in Siddipet district, Telangana .
The announcement was made by Union Coal and Mines Minister G.
Kishan Reddy , who also serves as BJP Telangana state president .
South Central Railway operates these services and was tagged in the minister's post alongside the Railway Ministry .
The move follows Indian Railways' broader practice of adding stoppages at stations serving major religious tourism sites.
Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Saturday, 25 July 2026, announced an additional stoppage for Siddipet–Secunderabad DEMU services at Komuravelli Punyakshetram Station, improving rail access for pilgrims visiting the Mallana Swamy Temple in Siddipet district, Telangana.
Context
The announcement covers four DEMU train services — Train Nos. 77653, 77654, 77655, and 77656 — operating on the Siddipet–Secunderabad corridor. These trains will now halt at Komuravelli Punyakshetram Station, inserting it into the route sequence: Siddipet → Duddeda → Komuravelli Punyakshetram → Lakhudaram → Secunderabad.
Reddy tagged South Central Railway and the Railway Ministry in his post, signalling coordination with the zonal railway administration that operates these services. The halt is positioned as a direct response to the travel needs of devotees frequenting the revered Shiva temple at Komuravelli, which draws pilgrims from across Telangana and neighbouring regions.
Policy Backdrop
Indian Railways has a long-standing practice of adding scheduled stoppages at stations serving major religious sites, treating pilgrim traffic as a distinct category of regional passenger demand. Such adjustments to DEMU and short-distance passenger services allow the railway network to improve last-mile connectivity without commissioning new infrastructure.
The Secunderabad–Siddipet rail section, operated by South Central Railway, has seen incremental upgrades as part of broader efforts to strengthen intra-Telangana rail links. Adding a halt at an existing but previously skipped station is among the lower-cost interventions available within current timetable frameworks, making it a frequently used tool in regional connectivity planning.
Stakeholders and Impact
The primary beneficiaries are pilgrims visiting Mallana Swamy Temple at Komuravelli, who previously had no direct DEMU stoppage on this route and relied on road transport or indirect connections. Local commuters in Siddipet district and residents along the corridor between Duddeda and Lakhudaram also stand to gain from improved frequency of access.
For G. Kishan Reddy, who serves as BJP Telangana state president in addition to his cabinet role, the announcement carries political resonance in a state where the party is in opposition and seeks to demonstrate delivery on local civic and religious infrastructure needs. The move reinforces the central government's engagement with Telangana's regional rail priorities.
What's Next
The additional halt is expected to take effect as per a revised timetable issued by South Central Railway. Passengers are advised to check updated schedules through official railway channels before travel. Further timetable revisions or platform upgrades at Komuravelli Punyakshetram Station could follow in subsequent zonal reviews or railway budget cycles, particularly if pilgrim footfall on these services increases measurably after the halt addition.
Point of View
High-visibility, and targeted at a specific constituency of users. For G. Kishan Reddy, announcing it in his capacity as both a Union Minister and BJP's Telangana state president blurs the line between administrative delivery and political signalling in a state the party is working to reclaim. The move fits a wider pattern in which the central government uses railway timetable adjustments as a soft instrument of outreach in states where it lacks government power. Whether South Central Railway follows through with timely timetable revisions will determine whether the announcement translates into tangible relief for pilgrims.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which trains will stop at Komuravelli Punyakshetram Station?
Train Nos. 77653, 77654, 77655, and 77656 — the Siddipet–Secunderabad DEMU services — will now include an additional halt at Komuravelli Punyakshetram Station.
What is Komuravelli Punyakshetram and why is it significant?
Komuravelli Punyakshetram is a railway station serving the Mallana Swamy Temple, a revered Shiva shrine in Siddipet district, Telangana, that attracts pilgrims from across the region.
Who announced the new train stoppage at Komuravelli?
Union Coal and Mines Minister and BJP Telangana state president G. Kishan Reddy announced the additional halt on 25 July 2026 via a post on X.
What is the route of the Siddipet–Secunderabad DEMU after the new halt?
The revised route sequence is Siddipet → Duddeda → Komuravelli Punyakshetram → Lakhudaram → Secunderabad.
Which railway zone operates the Siddipet–Secunderabad DEMU services?
South Central Railway operates these DEMU services on the Siddipet–Secunderabad corridor.
