Proposals for new trains submitted

A tri-weekly Express from Visakhapatnam to Chennai, introduction of one more Visakhapatnam – Mumbai LTT Superfast Express via Raipur, extension of Sambalpur – Varanasi Weekly Express to Visakhapatnam, introduction of a night train on the Naupada – Gunupur Section and continuation of the Visakhapatnam – Quilon Express are some of the proposals submitted by the Waltair Division to the authorities East Coast Railway Zone in Bhubaneswar.The zonal authorities are expected to present them at the All India Railway Time Table Committee meeting to be held in Secunderabad from January 5. The proposals would be discussed at the meeting and the ones that are accepted could find place in the forthcoming Railway budget. “Of the 12 trains bypassing Visakhapatnam and going through Duvvada, three have been already re-routed and we are exerting pressure on the Railway Board to get the other trains also to Visakhapatnam. A battery operated car will be introduced at Duvvada Railway Station in the near future for the benefit of physically challenged persons and senior citizens,” Divisional Railway Manager N. Kashinath told a media conference on Tuesday. The doubling work on the Jagdalpur – Kirandul stretch was sanctioned as it was being funded by the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC). Survey of the Koraput – Jagdalpur stretch was completed while the Kothavalasa – Koraput stretch was yet to be completed. Relaying of the approach road, development of circulating area and construction of waiting halls for Upper Class and Sleeper Class on the Gnanapuram side would be taken up once the construction of the BRTS Road was completed.
Escalators
Mr. Kashinath said that the Railway Board has placed orders for procurement of escalators. Two escalators, one on platform 1 and the other on platform 8 (Gnanapuram side), would be provided at a cost of Rs.42 lakhs. He said that the escalators were expected to be received by March-end.