Retain century-old Waltair Division under SCoR zone, Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha MP urges Railway Minister

Splitting the Division could disrupt administrative efficiency and regional identity, Sri Bharat tells Ashwini Vaishnaw; Vande Bharat train between Visakhapatnam and Tirupati sought

Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha MP M. Sri Bharat met Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to discuss issues concerning Visakhapatnam and its surrounding regions. He submitted detailed proposals aimed at enhancing connectivity, improving services, and addressing long-standing demands of the people in the area, according to a release here on Wednesday.

The MP said that one of the key issues raised by him was the retention of the historic Waltair Division in its original form within the proposed South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone. “I conveyed to the Railway Minister that the Division’s century-long legacy and its crucial role in freight revenue generation must be protected. The Division is not only a significant administrative unit but also holds sentimental value for the people of North Andhra,” the MP said.

Drawing comparisons with cities like Mumbai and Kolkata, where multiple Divisions coexist, Mr. Sri Bharat requested the Ministry to reconsider the decision to split Waltair Division, emphasising that such a move could disrupt administrative efficiency and regional identity.

Expressing his appreciation for the Ministry’s efforts in initiating the tender process for the SCoR Zone headquarters, the MP urged the Minister to expedite the zone’s operations by utilising existing resources. He cited examples of other railway zones, such as East Coast and South Western Railways, which successfully began operations with temporary arrangements before shifting to permanent facilities.

Focusing on improving connectivity, Mr. Sri Bharat proposed the introduction of a daily direct train service between Visakhapatnam and Bengaluru. He noted the enthusiastic response to special trains on this route and stressed the importance of a permanent service to meet the needs of passengers, given the growth of Visakhapatnam’s IT and tourism sectors.

The MP also requested the launch of a Vande Bharat express service between Visakhapatnam and Tirupati. He said that this high-speed train would provide great convenience to pilgrims while also boosting tourism and economic activity between the two cities.

Mr. Bharat advocated for an additional stoppage of Vande Bharat Express trains at Duvvada Railway Station. He highlighted the station’s strategic importance, serving rapidly growing areas such as Gajuwaka, Lankelapalem, and Steel Plant Town. He emphasised that Duvvada was being upgraded under the Amrit Bharat Scheme and an additional stoppage would greatly benefit passengers from these expanding neighbourhoods.

Published - November 27, 2024 07:09 pm IST