A Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) member has renewed appeals to railway authorities for the immediate restoration of a direct train service between Visakhapatnam and Narasapur, citing commuters’ hardships.
ZRUCC member Kanchumurthi Eswar stated that the withdrawal of former services like the Simhadri Express and local passenger trains has forced commuters to change trains at intermediate junctions such as Nidadavolu or Bhimavaram. This lack of direct connectivity causes severe inconvenience, particularly for senior citizens, patients, and families traveling during late hours or extreme weather.
An RTI reply from October 2024 revealed that a final decision regarding the route restoration rests with the Railway Board, while proposals for special or Vande Bharat trains remain exempt from disclosure under Section 8(d) of the RTI Act due to commercial confidence.
Advocating for the route’s commercial viability, Mr. Eswar highlighted that passenger footfall at Narasapur station more than doubled to over 7.48 lakh, with earnings jumping to ₹18.27 crore between FY 2021-22 and FY 2022-23.
Proponents emphasise that direct connectivity would boost regional trade, education, and access to key pilgrimage sites like Antarvedi, while seamlessly linking Visakhapatnam’s industrial workforce with the Godavari districts. Pending a permanent resolution from the Railway Board, the ZRUCC member has urged the South Coast Railway to operate direct special trains during major festive periods to accommodate heavy passenger traffic and enhance railway revenue.
Published – September 27, 2026 08:36 pm IST
