The Indian Railway Board has given work sanction for construction of a full-fledged platform on the western side at Duvvada railway station that currently has only three platforms. All amenities would be provided on the western side in a phased manner.
Administrative and financial sanctions have been accorded for construction of the platform for the convenience of passengers getting down from trains coming to Visakhapatnam from destinations down South. “We will begin works very soon, and the tendering process is about to begin,” Divisional Railway Manager D. Kamilla told The Hindu .
Currently, the passengers have to take the only rail overbridge at one of the platform and go to the other side to take a bus or autorickshaw. But, on completion of the proposed platform passengers can alight on the western side and walkout of the platform to take a transport vehicle that can take the road overbridge.
Connectivity
The Railways proposed to develop both Visakhapatnam and Duvvada railway stations simultaneously with all amenities, the DRM said, and expressed the hope that the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) would develop connectivity from the NH-5 to Duvvada station. “There is not a single Metro Liner from RTC Complex to Duvvada station. Such a facility will improve patronage for the station that is now being preferred as a stoppage for all newly introduced long-distance trains,” he explained. Equal importance was being given to developing both the platforms and all existing trains would continue to touch Visakhapatnam platform. But long-distance trains save about an hour if they did not enter the loop as it had several crossings leading to slowing down of the railway traffic in the region, Mr. Kamilla added.
