The much-awaited Andhra Pradesh Express will run from Vijayawada to New Delhi, not from Visakhapatnam as demanded by some people’s representatives of the port city and officials of Vijayawada division of South Central Railway have received a communication to that effect from the Railway Board.
The inaugural of the train is round the corner. The train has already had a successful trial run between Ongole and Vijayawada.
An official of the Vijayawada division said the train will have 18 coaches, two power cars and a pantry car.
The authorities, however, have not finalised the date of commencement of operations as formalities related to the inaugural function are pending completion, according to official sources.
The Code of Conduct that has come into force in view of MLC elections is said to be one of the reasons for the delay.
“We are ready to launch the train. It’s up to the politicians to get it going,” the official said on condition of anonymity and pointed out the orders were received for running the train from Vijayawada. It’s a prestigious train which will have German-made Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) air-conditioned coaches.
N. Srihari, member of the Vijayawada Railway Station Users’ Consultative Committee, said passengers would have more berths available from Vijayawada, the originating station.
On an average, 100 passengers travel from Vijayawada to New Delhi every day (railway officials put this figure in the 40-50 range).
The demand to operate the train from Visakhapatnam is not under consideration notwithstanding the fact that it will be covering more distance in Andhra Pradesh if it originates there, Mr. Srihari added.
Passengers will have more berths available from Vijayawada
N. Srihari
Member of Vijayawada Railway Station Users’ Consultative Committee
The train will have German-made Linke Hofmann Busch
AC coaches
