Title - Vizag gets a raw deal again-

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Interestingly, one more weekly Express was announced between Tirupathi – Bhubaneswar though there is already one on the same route. A new Howrah – Chennai A/C bi-weekly Express was announced via Duvvada contrary to the assurance given by the East Coast Railway (ECoR) authorities.There was no mention in the budget on re-routing of the trains, being presently diverted via Duvvada.To add insult to injury, the Simhachalam–Gopalapatnam bypass line is scheduled for completion by March 2014.The ECoR authorities seem to be more interested in the bypass line rather than construction of additional platforms at the Visakhapatnam station.

No word about WRS:The only thing to cheer about is the conversion of the Visakhapatnam – LTT bi-weekly into a daily, increasing the frequency of Visakhapatnam-Nanded from two days to three days.The Railway Minister seems to have conveniently forgotten the sanction of the WRS for Visakhapatnam for which Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry D. Purandeswari thanked him for his ‘magnanimity’ and sought early laying of the foundation stone.The WRS proposed to be set up in Visakhapatnam was shifted to Kalahandi though Mancheswar, near Bhubaneswar, already has one WRS. Incidentally, even this WRS was shifted from Visakhapatnam four decades ago, according to K. Ramachandra Murthy, an advisor to the Samaikhyandhra Political JAC.

Additional platforms:“We want additional platforms, re-routing of diverted trains and introduction of new trains but not VIP lounges,” says A. Sannibabu, a railway passenger from the city, who has been constantly following the developments.

New zone creation:Creation of a new zone or merger with South Central Railway (SCR) is the only a way-out to end the injustice to Visakhapatnam, feel Railway Zone Saadhana Samithi leaders J.V. Satyanarayana Murthy and Cheruvu Ramakotaiah.