The longest electrified tunnel in Indian Railways has changed the way freight is transported across the country. In 2019, the tunnel connecting South Central Railways Cherlopalli and Rapuru stations was dedicated to the country.

The 113 km Obulavaripalli-Venkatachalam-Krishnapatnam Port railway includes the 6.6 km long tunnel. An engineering feat, the tunnel has shortened the distance for trains traveling from Krishnapatnam to Guntakal Division by 72 km. In addition, it reduces traffic volume in the section between Obulavaripalli and Renigunta and Gudur.

On June 25, 2019, the longest electrified tunnel in the country was put into operation. The tunnel was described as "a feather in the glory of Indian Railways" by former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu.

An estimated $437 billion was spent on the construction of the tunnel. 14 Cross Passages and 44 Trolley Refuges are present.

This tunnel improves the freight capacity of the South Central Railway and enables direct and practical connectivity between the South Coast and West Coast.

The railways are developing a plan to become the largest "green railways" in the world with no CO2 emissions by 2030. A total of 4,100 TKM were electrified in fiscal year 2022-2023.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said last week that 20,000 route kilometers of rail lines were electrified in the first 70 years of independence, while the country's seventh Vande Bharat Express was introduced.