To improve passenger amenities, railway authorities have sanctioned three escalators for Nellore railway station. This is in addition to the three lifts installed recently for passengers who have to climb the foot over-bridge connecting platforms No 1, 2, 3 and 4.
To improve passenger amenities, railway authorities have sanctioned three escalators for Nellore railway station. This is in addition to the three lifts installed recently for passengers who have to climb the foot over-bridge connecting platforms No 1, 2, 3 and 4.
With regard to other development works in the railway station, the overhead shelter is being extended at platforms no 1 and 3. Sources in the railway wing said that importance was being given to enhance facilities for passengers because Nellore is in the second place after Vijayawada station with respect to revenue earnings from passengers.
Nellore is one among 105 railway stations in Vijayawada division and the revenue earning was Rs.34 crore during 2011 as against Rs.29 crore in 2010 and Rs.24 crore in 2009. Rajahmundry occupied the third place in revenue earnings. Citing the growing number of railway passengers from Nellore, the railway users association has been demanding an AC waiting hall for upper class passengers. They maintain that it is a necessity, pointing to nearly 200 passengers travelling in AC compartments to the state capital alone from Nellore every day.
They also demand a direct train to Shirdi, referring to direct train availability from Machilipatnam, Kakinada and Visakhapatnam to Shirdi. Speaking to this newspaper, railway station manager Anthony Jayraj said that people demanded a direct train to Shirdi especially after the opening of Sai Shirdi Nagar railway station.
He said that they had been deputing railway police to regulate passengers thronging Nellore station for reservation under the Tatkal quota everyday. Mr Jayraj said that there was a stampede like situation every day as soon as the reservation hall doors were opened and police assistance was sought to prevent any untoward incidents.
People were waiting outside the reservation hall from midnight to be the first in the queue to obtain Tatkal tickets, he added.
