Key chord line to ease Secunderabad congestion nears completion

South Central Railway (SCR) is preparing to commission a short but significant ‘chord line’ aimed at decongesting the busy Secunderabad station and streamlining long‑distance train movement towards Kacheguda. The development follows the completion of doubling and electrification works between Sitaphalmandi and Lallaguda stations.

According to senior railway officials, the new alignment will enable trains coming from Kazipet via Moula Ali route to directly access the Kacheguda route, bypassing both the Secunderabad and Malkajgiri stations. This is expected to reduce delays and improve punctuality, particularly for long‑distance express and superfast services connecting northern and southern regions.

The chord line comprises two key components — a 1.80‑km double line between Lallaguda and Sitaphalmandi ‘B’ cabin, and a 1‑km stretch between Sitaphalmandi ‘B’ and Sitaphalmandi ‘A’ cabins. Signalling interlocking works are currently underway, after which the section will be opened for traffic. Officials estimate that the new route will save up to 30 minutes of travel time, as trains will no longer need to take a 15‑km detour via Malkajgiri and Lallaguda Gate stations.

The project also included the extension of the Road under Bridge (RuB) at the busy Alugaddabavi junction. SCR completed the work with the cooperation of traffic police and GHMC authorities. Once operational, the new link will ease train movements in the Kazipet–Kacheguda and Kacheguda–Mahabubnagar directions, SCR’s Chief Public Relations Officer A. Sridhar explained.

Currently, trains using the Kazipet–Cherlapalli–Moula Ali line are compelled to swing right towards Malkajgiri and Sitaphalmandi to reach the Kacheguda–Bengaluru route. With the new line, they can instead turn left at Lallaguda to reach Sitaphalmandi station and proceed directly to Kacheguda station.

Meanwhile, SCR is also advancing work on a larger bypass project — a 12‑km double line with electrification between the existing single line between Sitaphalmandi and Moula Ali stations. The Sitaphalmandi–Malkajgiri portion has already been completed, while the remaining 6‑km stretch between Malkajgiri and Moula Ali is under construction. This link is expected to further streamline train operations, especially for MMTS suburban services.