02873 Visakhapatnam – Tirupathi, which enjoys very good patronage, has been extended only till January 26 but the Bhubaneswar – Bangalore premium special train has been extended till March despite its poor patronage.
“This once again exposes the double standards of the East Coast Railway authorities in Bhubaneswar,” says an RTI activist M. Pradyumna.
Berths on train no. 00851 Bhubaneswar-Bangalore Cantt premium special bi-weekly train are available on December 24, 27 and 31 while berths on Visakhapatnam-Tiurpathi weekly special are fully booked on December 22 and 29. The berths in January also should have been fully booked but for the late announcement on its extension till January 26.
This is not all, ECoR has not run a special train from Vizag to Bangalore despite the cancellation of two SpiceJet flights from Visakhapatnam to Bangalore. South Central Railway is operating special trains from Secunderabad and Kacheguda to Chennai and Bangalore following the cancellation of SpiceJet flights.
Here is good news for those who wish to travel short distances in Air Conditioned comfort while avoiding the prospect of shelling out a fortune on taxis. The Visakhapatnam Region of APS RTC will soon launch 17 new Volvo buses (Mark IV) for travel in and around the city.
“The idea is to launch the new AC buses on the Visakhapatnam Railway Station – Vizianagaram, Airport – RTC Complex, Chodavaram – RK Beach and Anakapalle –Dwaraka Bus Station (RTC) Complex routes and some other routes, which are yet to be identified,” according to RTC Regional Manager Y. Jagadeesh Babu.
The four-lane National Highway-16, which passes though the city, and the wide BRTS Roads are sure to facilitate hassle-free travel. The growing traffic and a good number of signals on the highway and the incomplete BRTS roads are sure to dampen the spirits of those who want to make good use of the AC buses to commute to office and for their day-to-day needs.
“The fares and the routes are yet to be finalised. We plan to launch the buses in a month,” says Deputy Chief Traffic Manager (Urban) A. Veeraiah Choudary.
Mr. Jagadeesh Babu says that 120 special buses are being operated from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam from January 8 to 12 for the convenience of people visiting their homes for Sankranti. In the return direction, 200 specials would be operated to Hyderabad and an additional 300 buses would be operated to Rajahmundry, Kakinada and other places from the city from January 15.
