Title - Anakapalli-Kothavalasa suburban line proposed

VISAKHAPATNAM: Keeping in view the future expansion of the GVMC, a proposal to connect the suburban regions of Vizag (along the Anakapalli-Kothavalasa lines) was brought forth. Hinting that the proposal was being examined, N Kasinath, the outgoing divisional railway manager (DRM) of Waltair division, said that an exercise was being conducted across the 50-km Anakapalli-Kothavalasa route.The above route caters to thousands of passengers, including employees and students, a majority of who constitute the demography of GVMC.The proposal, if accepted, could reduce pressure on the regular trains along the Anakapalli-Vizianagaram route and also help ease the stress on the highway connecting Anakapalli and Vizag.Apart from benefiting small-time traders and daily wagers from Anakapalli, students, government servants and employees of private firms spread across the GVMC limits, running into thousands,would stand to benefit.The 50-km railway line is also dotted with a number of railway stations, including Marripalem, Pendurthy and Simhachalam, which are demographically important for passenger traffic.Marripalem alone accounts for over 500 daily passengers; on the whole over 3,000 people travel on the route, to and fro on a daily basis.According to Kasinath, the suburban project would be beneficial and would not requireno further laying of new railway lines and above all, would provide greater mobility to those living on the fringes of the GVMC limits.