A dharna was organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party opposite the Divisional Railway Manager's Office here on Monday to protest against the undue delay in the introduction of the Visakhapatnam-Hyderabad Duronto Express.
The BJP leaders and activists raised slogans demanding immediate introduction of the Duronto Express, which was announced in the last Railway Budget. They tried to barge into the DRM s Office but held a meeting outside, when the gates were closed by the Railway police.
Addressing the gathering, BJP city president M. Nagendra said that it was surprising that the Duronto Express, which was sanctioned in the last budget, was not introduced till date. He also sought introduction of the Shirdi Express as a daily train, introduction of Visakhapatnam-Tirupati express with limited stops, Visakhapatnam-Chennai super fast overnight express and Visakhapatnam-Bangalore direct express as all these trains were in high demand. '
The BJP leader described delay in introduction of Duranto express and several other trains as a ‘failure' of the local MPs. In a memorandum to the DRM, he noted that there was heavy demand for the direct non-stop train to Hyderabad (Duronto) from Visakhapatnam. It was also essential in view of the huge wait list observed for the Hyderabad-bound trains. Samaikyandhra Political JAC: Meanwhile, the agitation being organised by the JAC demanding a separate Railway Zone with its headquarters in Visakhapatnam, continued for the third day on Monday.
