North Andhra needs more trains, better passenger facilities: DRUCC member
With passenger traffic rising across North Andhra, senior railway trade union leader and DRUCC member Chalasani Gandhi has urged the South Coast Railway (SCoR) administration to strengthen train services and passenger infrastructure in the region.
In a representation to the SCoR General Manager, Gandhi said that the establishment of the zone’s headquarters in Visakhapatnam, following years of public demand, should be accompanied by greater attention to the region’s passenger needs.
He sought adequate special trains during festivals and peak tourist seasons, increased frequency on high-demand routes, and the operation of trains with the maximum permissible 24 coaches wherever required.
Gandhi also sought dedicated overnight services connecting Visakhapatnam with Vijayawada, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. He called for improved connectivity to major pilgrimage destinations, including Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Prayagraj.
The memorandum also sought more frequent services on the Visakhapatnam–Ichchapuram and Visakhapatnam–Rajamahendravaram sections, besides improved passenger amenities at stations across the region.
Gandhi said that regular consultations with passenger associations, elected representatives, and members of the Zonal and Divisional Railway Users’ Consultative Committees were necessary to assess emerging traffic patterns and plan services accordingly.
He added that a coordinated approach was needed to ensure that the growing demand for rail connectivity in North Andhra was adequately addressed.