The Vijayawada division of the South Central Railway (SCR) has earned ₹3,389 crore as against the target of ₹2,852 crore, from April to November this year, said Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) R. Dhananjayulu.
Growth in earnings, comparing to the same period last year, was registered at 43%. About 50% growth was registered in freight loading and it was 8.7% in passenger earnings. The Krishnapatnam Port Company Limited (KPCL) and Kakinada Port, cement and fertilizer companies and the Food Corporation of India, which were loading coal, fertilizers, cement, food grains and other goods have contributed to the increase in freight loading, the DRM explained at a press conference held here on Thursday.
“This year, the Railways loaded 23.218 million tonnes of goods, and freight loading may touch 34 million tonnes by this financial year end. We are expecting the gross earnings to cross ₹5,000 crore this year.” The DRM said the bypassing facility from Rayanapadu station would begin from December 22 with a few holiday specials. The trains will not touch Vijayawada.
Doubling and electrification of 220 km Vijayawada-Gudivada-Machilipatnam-Bhimavaram and Narsapuram, Vijayawada-Gudur third line works and Kotipalli-Narsapur works are under way. Vijayawada-Warangal third line works were sanctioned and would begin soon. Platforms would be increased at Gudur, Rajamahendravaram, Machilipatnam, Nidadavole, Bhimavaram and Narsapuram stations. Construction of Rail Over Bridges (ROBs) at Madhuranagar, Ramavarappadu, Vambay Colony and Gunadala are in different stages. For Capital city Amaravati, connectivity is planned in two phases, Mr. Dhananjayulu explained.
1,500 spy cams planned
A master plan has been prepared to install 1,500 CCTVs in 14 stations in the division.
Besides, focus was being laid on providing passenger waiting spaces, entertainment and wash room facilities in the Vijayawada railway station, he added.
Additional DRMs G. Sumana and Ramaraju were among those present.
