Push for Balaji Railway Division gains momentum to enhance tourism, economic growth

Tirupati: The demand for the establishment of the proposed Balaji Railway Division has gained new momentum, with local leaders, railway users and residents strongly supporting the initiative during an awareness conference organised by the Balaji Railway Division Sadhana Samiti.

Aiming for a world-class pilgrimage and tourism hub

Speakers emphasised that creating the Balaji Division would significantly boost rail connectivity, trade and tourism, thereby driving regional economic growth.

They described the proposal as a strategic initiative for the future of the Tirupati region, aligning with the long-term goal of developing it into a world-class pilgrimage and tourism hub.

Guntakal division second-highest revenue earner

"At present, Tirupati Railway Station, categorised as an A1 station under the Guntakal division of South Central Railway (SCR), earns about Rs 250 crore annually, making it the second-highest revenue earner in the region," said Samithi convener Kuppala Giridhara Kumar.

However, participants noted that the city’s growth has been constrained due to its distance from both the divisional headquarters in Guntakal (320 km) and the zonal headquarters in Visakhapatnam (736 km).

They pointed out that despite its strong revenue performance and global influx of pilgrims, Tirupati has not fully benefited from the development of other regions because of administrative and operational challenges.

Benefits of Balaji Railway Division

Tracing the history of the proposal, speakers recalled that the Balaji Division concept was first conceived in the 1990s. When Indian Railways reorganised nine zones into sixteen in 2003, the division was reportedly diverted due to political pressures, leading instead to the formation of the Guntur Division.

According to the Samiti, the establishment of a separate Balaji Railway Division would offer multiple benefits, including:

1. Administrative efficiency – faster decision-making and decentralised management.

2. Regional development – enhanced industrial growth, tourism, and urban expansion.

3. Employment generation – around 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, along with improved passenger amenities and staff welfare.

4. Strategic advantages – balanced regional development, higher revenues, and long-term expansion potential.