The much-awaited Andhra Pradesh Express connecting the State to New Delhi will start on its maiden journey from Visakhapatnam at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, BJP State president and Visakhapatnam MP Kambhampati Haribabu said.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu will flag off the train remotely from New Delhi in presence of Union ministers Venkaiah Naidu, Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Sujana Choudhary and MPs from the State, he told The Hindu.
Though it was originally proposed to run the 22701/22702 New Delhi – Vijayawada Express (daily) as announced in the Railway Budget 2014-15, it could not be introduced due to non-availability of rake. Visakhapatnam MP Haribabu insisted on running of the train from Visakhapatnam to New Delhi via Vijayawada or alternatively from Vijayawada to New Delhi via Visakhapatnam to cover the maximum area in Andhra Pradesh.
The AP Express will stop at Duvvada, Anakapalle, Samalkot Junction, Rajahmundry, Tadepalligudem and Eluru, taking 36.05 hours to cover the 2099 km distance.
