The promised Duronto Express rail connectivity between Vishakhapatnam and Secundrabad,appears to be a mirage for the people of Vishakhapatnam. In 2010 -2011 railway budget Ms. Mamta banerjee proposed it. The year is about to come to an end but still the destined date of flagging off is a mystery to everybody.Till now the cause of delay has been quoted as non availability of rake but top sources at the Ministry are tight lipped even at guessing or giving an approximate date as they say that it is a closely guarded secret of the ministry. They fear that its disclosure will lead to a lot of pressures for other new trains. They feel that the non nonavailability of rake is only a red herring,in fact the first priority in the allotment of the rake is given to the state from where the people’s representatives are strong. Unfortunately for vishakhapatnam nobody has been able to properly pursue and press their case strongly in the Parliament.There are approximately 5000 commuters travelling daily between the two destinations and there are around 18 trains that connect the two places at different times on different days of a week, yet there is a severe short supply of berths because of the overbooking in the trains. Till now the most sort after train connecting the two destinations is Godavari Express and the booking has to be done two months in advance. Vishakhapatnam Rail Division is one of the highest revenue earner for the Govt but this step motherly treatment towards that very division is inexplicable.Interestingly all the details of the proposed Duronto Express were announced and chalked out but for the date of its flagging off. The train which will ply thrice a week will have 18 coaches and would cover 701 km in nine hours and twenty five minutes with Vijaywada as its technical stoppage.This makes the proposed Duronto Express the fastest train between the two cities . Duronto, once it starts, will leave Secundrabad for Vishakahpatnam on Monday, Wenesday and Saturday.
The word Duronto which is originally a bangla word means ‘quick’ but this Duronto Express for the people of Vishakhapatnam has been proving to be exactly the opposite. May be’ shanto or shusto” in bangla will be the right name. The people of Vishakhapatnam have to wait and watch and see for how long will it take for the Duronto to reach them.
