South Central Railway General Manager M.S. Jayanth conceded East Godavari District and Cocanada Town Passengers Association's demand to introduce a train to Secunderabad in addition to Gowtami Express, halt some super fast trains at Samalkot and extend Circar Express up to Puducherry. The GM instructed Vijayawada divisional railway manager and senior commercial manager to make the necessary proposals, association president Y.D. Rama Rao said in a press release.
The association's executive committee had in a meeting held on March 1, under the chairmanship of its founder S.S. Krishnaji, passed resolutions demanding an additional train to the State capital, stoppage of all super fast trains at Samalkot, extend Kakinada – Vijayawada fast passenger up to Repalle, running a diesel car between Kakinada and Samalkot (as it is kept idle after a single run between Kakinada and Kotipalli), construction of a foot over bridge in Kakinada town and Samalkot stations and a trolley way in Kakinada town station (for moving old and sick people from one platform to another).
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Mr. Jayanth announced that a multipurpose utility railway station, which was sanctioned to Rajahmundry in the last budget, was taking shape and it would come up very soon.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating an RPF post in Rajahmundry Railway Station on Tuesday along with Vasista Johari, DRM, Vijayawada, said that this station was a multiplex to be built on 1000 square yards and will consist of a shopping mall, multiplex theatre, budget hotel and food plazas and other shopping places. It would come up besides Goods wagon shed, which is now vacated and Railway ministry has already allotted Rs.2.6 crores for this purpose. “Next step will be calling tenders after getting permissions from Railway Board as well as the Ministry,” said Mr. Jayanth.
He said that Rs.2.5 crores were allocated for modernization of Rajahmundry Railway station, including beautification of platforms, shelters, escalators, water chlorination plant and number of fans and other things.
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Replying to a question, the GM said that the Centre and political leaders have to take a decision on merging of Waltair (Vizag) which is in the East Coast Railway with SCR.