The problems of Waltair Division to achieve the long-pending demands like introduction of new trains, increasing the quota of berths and provision of halt at satellite stations would be discussed at the zonal-level meet at Bhubaneswar on September 2.
MPs from the region assured the participants, many of whom who have been fighting for the cause of a separate railway zone with headquarters in Visakhapatnam, at a meeting here on Saturday, that they would voice their concerns at the zonal-level meet .
Though the organisers had asked the speakers to confine themselves to the problems that could be addressed at the zonal-level, many of them insisted on making Visakhapatnam as headquarters of the new railway zone in Andhra Pradesh. Visakhapatnam MP Kambhampati Haribabu said it was on top of his agenda, but the committee, formed for that purpose, was yet to give its report.
Railway Zone Sadhana Samithi convener J.V. Satyanarayana Murthy decried the injustice being done to Visakhapatnam, the biggest city in AP, after bifurcation. He demanded bringing the diverted trains to Visakhapatnam, increasing the frequency of trains to Bangalore, Chennai and Duronto.
East Coast Railway Shramik Union general secretary Ch. Gandhi said it was unfortunate that MPs from the region had failed to attend zonal meetings since the establishment of ECoR zone in 2003.
He underlined the need for early appointment of an OSD (Officer on Special Duty) in Visakhapatnam to hasten the zone-formation process by creating the required infrastructure.
Araku MP Kothapalli Geetha, who represents YSR Congress, was optimistic that the special coaches required to run a tourist train to Araku would be requisitioned soon.
Anakapalle MP Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao, who represents TDP, said that a third line to Gopalapatnam could help in preventing traffic congestion and do away with diversion of trains.
Visakhapatnam North MLA P. Vishnu Kumar Raju said that all MLA s from the region were united on the demand for establishment of the new zone headquarters in Visakhapatnam.
The three MPs said they would raise the concerns of the people at the zonal meet and strive to solve them.
