| Guntur–Guntakal section | |
| Status: | Operational |
| Linelength: | 256.91km (159.64miles) |
| Map State: | collapsed |
Nallapadu–Nandyal section connects and of Guntur district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Further, this section converges with Nallapadu–Pagidipalli section at Nallapadu. The branch line is an electrified single-track railway.[1] [2]
Nallapadu–Nandyal section was constructed as a Meter Gauge railway line in 1891/92 by the British. The Magnificent Dorabhavi Viaduct used to span in the Nallamalla Range. The Viaduct 1024m (3,360feet) long spanning over 8 high pillars around 125m (410feet) was an architectural & engineering wonder. The Viaduct was dismantled after the Guntur Junction–Guntakal Junction section was made Broad Gauge in 1997/98. The 1350m (4,430feet) long Bogada Tunnel & 1250m (4,100feet) long Chellama Tunnel in the Meter Gauge alignment were sealed in 1997/98 & a new 1600m (5,200feet) long Bogada Tunnel & 1000m (3,000feet) long Chellama Tunnel were constructed in 1997/98 in the Broad Gauge line. Guntur Junction–Guntakal Junction section is 401km (249miles) long & currently doubling of & Guntakal is going on.
Vijayawada-Hubballi Amravathi Express, Shalimar(near Howrah)-Vasco Da Gama(nearMadgaon) Amravathi Express, Bhubaneswar-Bengaluru Prasanti Express are the legendary trains in this route. Vijayawada-Hubballi Amravathi Express & Bhubaneswar-Bengaluru(ErstwhileVijayawada-Bangalore) Prasanti Express were previously Meter Gauge era trains, later re-introduced in Broad Gauge post gauge conversion in 1997/98. Amravathi Express was extended to Howrah on 2008. Recently Howrah-Satya Sai Express & Kondaveedu Express Train are also heavy demand trains in this route.
This branch line is having a length of 256.9km (159.6miles) and is administered under Guntur railway division of South Central Railway zone.[3]