Indian Railway News

[sajiv]

Railways' plea to drivers

PALAKKAD: The Palakkad Railway Division has said the incidents of road vehicles hitting the railway level crossing gates are increasing in the division, especially in the Kozhikode-Kannur section.

According to the statement here on Wednesday, this was mainly due to the negligence of drivers.

If a vehicle hit a level crossing gate, the gate could not be opened immediately and railway officials had to come from nearby stations to rectify the defect.

That may take time and road traffic would be affected. And if the gates were provided with interlocking facility, the rail traffic would be disturbed.

Warning boards and speed-breakers were provided before approaching the level crossings. The drivers wer

[dwarakesh]

Trains to have extra coaches

BHUBANESWAR: In order to clear extra rush of waitlisted passengers, the East Coast Railway has decided to augment extra coaches in some of the important trains originating from its jurisdiction.

The trains which will be augmented included 2801 Puri-New Delhi Purusottam Express, 2815/2875 Puri-New Delhi Neelachal Superfast Express, 8463 Bhubaneswar-Bangalore Prashanti Express, 2819 Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Orissa Sampark Kranti Express, 8507 Visakhapatnam-Amritsar Hirakud Express and 8425 Bhubaneswar-Raipur Express.

[dwarakesh]

Six new trains for Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI: Six new trains have been proposed for Tamil Nadu in the current railway budget, presented by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee in Parliament on Friday.

The new trains are: non-stop point-to-point Chennai-Delhi bi-weekly express, weekly Bilaspur–Tirunelveli Junction superfast express via Thiruvananthapuram, bi–weekly Hapa–Tirunelveli superfast express via Thiruvanathapuram, tri-weekly Kanyakumari–Rameswaram express via Madurai, bi-weekly Madurai–Chennai Express and Coimbatore – Shoranur passenger.

The Minister announced that Chennai Central would be developed as a world class station with international facilities through public-private partnership mode. Proposals included extension of the Jammu Tawi–Madurai weekly express to Tirunelveli and Ernakulam–Tiruchirapalli express to Nagore.

[sajiv]

World class amenities for Tirupati railway station

TIRUPATI: Notwithstanding the political outcry against the raw deal meted out to Andhra Pradesh in the budget by the Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, Tirupati has a reason to cheer up.

The burgeoning Tirupati railway station would now get all the world class amenities. Though Lalu Prasad himself had agreed in principle to the proposal mooted out by the Tirupati MP, Chintha Mohan during one of Lalu's visits to the temple city two years ago, it is only now that the proposal got the official nod with its inclusion in the current railway budget. In fact the proposal was okayed in principle even by Sonia Gandhi during her subsequent visit to Tirupati as the UPA Chairperson.

Now that the project is cleared, it is to be seen what it actually envisaged and how it would benefit the teeming crowd of pilgrims surging into the city daily from all over the country especially after the commissioning of the broad-gauge section between Tirupati and Katpadi.

[sajiv]

Railway Budget disappoints Chitradurga district

Janardhana Swamy, MP, says pressure will be put on Centre

Chitradurga-Tumkur railway link does not figure in document

'K.H. Muniyappa has failed to keep his promise'

Chitradurga: The Railway Budget presented by Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday comes as a disappointment to Chitradurga district.

This year too the longstanding demand for a railway link between Chitradurga and Tumkur, through Bangalore, was not granted.

The former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, who was here in February, had promised that work on the line would be completed soon. He also said that the Ministry had enough funds to undertake the work. The people seemed optimistic when Kolar MP K.H. Muniyappa was appointed Minister of State for Railways in the current regime. The District Railway Horata Samiti, during a recently felicitation ceremony, urged the Minister to ensure that the project was given due importance.

"Our hopes have been dashed once again. Mr. Muniyappa has failed to keep his promise," said samiti president C. Chitralingappa. He told presspersons here on Friday that the samiti would intensify its agitation and try and ensure that the project was pushed forward. "Besides Chitradurga, Davangere and Tumkur districts will also be benefited if the project takes shape," he added.

"The link will reduce traffic congestion on National Highway 13 and save travel time considerably. Poor people can also get to travel at an affordable price. Businessmen will also get better opportunities to transport goods."

Later, Chitradurga MP Janardhana Swamy, in a telephonic conversation with The Hindu from New Delhi, termed Ms. Bannerjee's budget regrettable.

Unhappy over the neglect of the State by the Congress-led Government, he alleged that Karnataka continued to suffer at the hands of the Centre.

Asked the reason for non-inclusion of the project, he said, "According to officials, the survey report submitted to the Government was not comprehensive. Hence it was rejected."

However, Mr. Janardhana Swamy expressed confidence that after resubmission of the report next year with the required changes, the project would be implemented. "Having said this, we will not keep quiet. We will continue to pressure the Government into meeting our demands. The MPs of Davangere and Tumkur are also working towards this," he added.

[sajiv]

Railway table tennis championship begins

HUBLI: General Manager of South Western Railway Kuldeep Chaturvedi inaugurated the 57th All-India Railway Table Tennis Championship 2009 at the Chalukya Railway Institute here on Friday.

As many as 150 players from 16 railway zones and production units in the country are participating in the championship.

Speaking after inaugurating the championship, Mr. Chaturvedi said that it was the second mega event hosted by SWR after the all India railway championship in 2008.

Sportsmanship
He stressed the need for developing true sportsmanship.

Sanjeev Handa, president of SWR Sports Association (SWRSA) and Chief Mechanical Engineer, SWR, spoke.

Senior railway officials S.K. Gupta, U. Krishna Murthy, Vijay Agarwal, Adesh Sharma, S.K. Behera, Braj Mohan, Naveen Tandon, S. Manohar, and Prem Chand were present.

[sajiv]

"Literature and cinema have different rules"

CHENNAI: Southern Railway has extended the following weekly special trains for a further period of three months.

Schedule
Train no. 0637 Chennai Egmore - Nagercoil special departure 8.25 p.m. (Thursdays) extended up to October 29; train no. 0638 Nagercoil - Chennai Egmore special departure 1.30 p.m. (Fridays) up to October 30; train no. 0639 Chennai Egmore – Nagercoil special departure 6.40 p.m. (Mondays) up to October 26; train no. 0640 Nagercoil – Chennai Egmore special departure 1.30 p.m. (Tuesdays) up to October 27; train no. 0609 Chennai Egmore – Sengottai special departure 8.25 p.m. (Saturdays) up to October 31; train no. 0610 Sengottai – Chennai Egmore special departure at 2.30 p.m. (Sundays) up to November 1; train no. 0652 Nagercoil - Chennai Egmore special departure 7.40 p.m. (Mondays) up to October 26; and train no 0651 Chennai Egmore – Nagercoil special departure 3.40 p.m. (Tuesdays) up to October 27, according to a Southern Railway press release.

[sajiv]

Special train from Tirupati to Bilaspur

HYDERABAD: The South Central Railway will run a special train from Tirupati to Bilaspur on July 11 to clear extra rush of passengers. The train No. 741 Tirupati-Bilaspur special train will leave Tirupati at 10 p.m. and reach Bilaspur at 11.45 p.m the next day.

En route the train will stop at Renigunta, Gudur, Nellore, Ongole, Tenali, Vijayawada, Khammam, Warangal, Sirpur Khagaznagar, Ballarshah, Sevagram, Nagpur, Bhandara Road, Gondia, Dongarah, Rajnandgaon, Durg, Raipur, Tilda and Bhatapara. It will have 24 coaches — one AC two-tier, three-tier, five sleeper class, 15 general second class and two luggage-cum-brake van.

[sajiv]

Rail traffic disrupted

KORAPUT: Rail traffic was disrupted at Koraput railway station for two hours from 12 noon on Tuesday. Demonstrations were held by members of yuva BJD demanding extension of Kirandool-Visakhapatnam passenger up to Bhubaneswar and renaming of the Hirakhand express plying between Koraput and Bhubaneswar as Gupteswar express.

They also demanded for a better share from this year's railway budget for the development of pending railway projects in Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri and Nowrangpur districts.

[dwarakesh]

Special trains

MADURAI: Southern Railway will operate special trains between Madurai and Rameswaram for the convenience of pilgrims visiting Rameswaram

during Adi Amavasai on July 20. The Madurai-Rameswaram passenger special will leave Madurai at 9.45 p.m. on July 20 and reach Rameswaram at

1.50 a.m. The Rameswaram-Madurai special will leave Rameswaram at 1.30 p.m. on July 21 and reach Madurai at 5.45 p.m. The specials will halt at

Madurai East, Silaiman, Tirupuvanam, Tirupachethi, Manamadurai, Sudiyur, Paramakudi, Chathirakudi, Ramanathapuram, Uchipuli, Mandapam and

Pamban.

[sajiv]

Metro rail contractor seeks better safety steps at the site


BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday directed Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) and other respondents to take adequate safety measures during the construction of the prestigious metro railway.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice P.D. Dinakaran and Justice V.G. Sabhahit passed the order on a public interest litigation (PIL) petition by Navayuga Engineering, one of the contractors for the project.

Navayuga said it had repeatedly warned BMRCL authorities against going ahead with "segment launch" method of construction on CMH Road in Indiranagar as it endangered the lives and property of residents and shopkeepers on the road.

The contractor said the segment method had led to accidents in Delhi and Hyderabad.

It said it wanted BMRCL to use the "composite girder" method which was more safe.

It said it was filing a PIL only because its advice was disregarded by BMRCL.

The Division Bench dismissed the PIL with an observation to BMRCL and other authorities that they should take safety safeguards during the construction of the railway.
Local bodies

The Bench asked the Government advocate to get instructions from the Government on whether it would implement the Dr. Kasturirangan report on improving the functioning of urban local bodies. The Bench passed this order on a public interest litigation (PIL) petition by B.V. Putte Gowda, advocate and former Mayor of Bangalore.

Mr. Putte Gowda said the State Government had not taken the committee report into consideration before increasing the number of wards in BBMP jurisdiction from 100 to 198.

The Bench ordered issue of notices to the Government and other respondents and adjourned hearing of the case to July 14.

[sajiv]

Committee to protest against extension of train to Kannur

MANGALORE: The Mangalore-Bangalore Railway Commuters' Action Committee, a new forum which came into being here on Wednesday, has decided to stage protests at the Mangalore Central and the Mangalore Junction railway stations on July 25 to urge the Railways to withdraw its decision to extend the Bangalore-Mangalore train up to Kannur in Kerala.

The committee was formed under the auspices of the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) at a meeting convened by it. Representatives of various organisations participated in the meeting.

The meeting had been convened following an announcement made by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee in the 2009-10 Railway Budget that the train number 6518 (Yeshwantpur-Mangalore Express) would be extended up to Kannur. Participants at the meeting opposed the decision of the Railways and decided to fight against it.

They said the train's course should be terminated at the Mangalore Central Railway Station.

The meeting also decided to seek the support of different organisations for this cause.

It was decided to take a delegation to Ms. Banerjee to apprise her of the need to withdraw the decision.

President of the KCCI Srinivas S. Kamath spoke. R.L. Dias, president, Railway Yatri Sangha, Udupi, wondered how could the MPs from Karnataka keep silent while such decisions were being taken. The MPs from Kerala must have pressed hard to swing the decision in their favour, he added.

Lokesh Hegde, member, Puttur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the people of Dakshina Kannada should rise to the occasion and protest against the decision.

G. Hanumantha Kamath, president, Nagarika Hitarakshana Vedike, Mangalore, said that people, irrespective of their political affiliations, should fight against such decisions.

Dinesh Shetty, president, Dakshina Kannada District Angavikalara Federation, said that all the physically challenged members of the federation would extend support to the committee's decision in this regard. Its office-bearers would be joining the protest, he added.

[sajiv]

Special trains

Chennai: Southern Railway is running special trains between Chennai Central and Coimbatore on both directions to clear the extra rush of passengers. Train no. 0613 will leave Chennai Central at 11.50 pm on Fridays from July 17 to September 25 and reach Coimbatore at 7.55 a.m. the next day. In the return direction, train no. 0614 will leave Coimbatore at 11.45 p.m. on Sundays from July 12 to September 27 and arrive at Central at 8.15 a.m. the next day.

[sajiv]

SCR current booking to be closed

HYDERABAD: With South Central Railway taking up maintenance work from 10 p.m. on July 12 till 4 a.m. the next day, all current day/Internet booking and enquiry terminals and integrated voice response system will not be available. However, reservations across the counters will be done during the normal counter working hours on the two days, said a press release.

[sajiv]

Railway quota for Haj pilgrims

Special bogies or train to be pressed into service, if needed

Rs. 650 crore set aside as Haj subsidy

Over 2.7 lakh Haj applicants this time

MALAPPURAM: Union Minister of State for Railways E. Ahamed said here on Saturday that the Railway would have special quota for Haj pilgrims to help them reach different embarkation points in the country. Special consideration would be given to pilgrims going to Mecca via Kozhikode, Indore, Varanasi, Aurangabad, and Guwahati, he said.

The Minister was inaugurating a Haj training camp on the Khilafat campus at Pookkottur, near here, on Saturday. He said special bogies or even a train would be pressed into service for Haj pilgrims, if required. Mr. Ahamed said the Railways would ensure confirmed tickets for the pilgrims applying through the Haj committees.
Directions

"We have given directions to the Railway authorities to ensure good facilities for the pilgrims at all railway stations. Facilities would be improved at the Kozhikode Railway Station through which a large number of Hajis reach Karipur, the embarkation point in the State," he said.

Mr. Ahamed, who was in charge of Haj as Minister of State for External Affairs in the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Cabinet, said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would soon visit Saudi Arabia as part of India's efforts to strengthen ties with the Gulf country. He said the Centre had kept aside Rs. 650 crore for the benefit of the pilgrims as Haj subsidy. There were more than 2.7 lakh applicants for the pilgrimage this time, and 1.25 lakh of them could not be considered, he said.

Mr. Ahamed said it was the UPA government that had increased the Haj quota to 1.65 lakh, and embarkation points to 17. There were 13 embarkation points till a few years ago.

Sayed Hyderali Shihab Thangal, district president of the Indian Union Muslim League, presided. K. Mohammedunni Haji, MLA, welcomed the gathering.

[sajiv]

Special train services extended

HUBLI: North Frontier Railway has extended the services of train No.0202/0201 Guwahati-Yeshwantpur- Guwahati weekly special till August 3 to clear extra rush of passengers as per the existing route, timings, composition and stoppages, a release said.

Accordingly, train No.0202 Guwahati-Yeshwantpur special will run from Guwahati every Saturday till August 1. In the return direction, train No.0201 Yeshwantpur-Guwahati special will run from Yeshwanthpur very Monday till August 3, the release said.
Halt

South Western Railway has decided to provide one-minute halt at Mallapur between Gadag and Hole Alur stations on Hubli Division for train no. 0693/0694 Hubli- Bijapur-Hubli Express with immediate effect, according to a release.

Train No. 0693 Hubli-Bijapur Express will arrive at and depart from Mallapur station at 6/6.01 p.m. In the return direction, it will arrive and depart from Mallapur at 3.46/3.47 a.m.
Extended

Hubli Division of South Western Railway has decided to extend the temporary halt provided at Karadi station on Hubli division, for train Nos. 587/588 Bangalore- Hubli- Bangalore fast passenger till September 30. The temporary stoppage facility was scheduled to expire on July 14.

[sajiv]

1,500 of 10,000 enrolled candidates appear for railway exam

Mysore: There was poor response to the competitive examination conducted by the Railway Recruitment Board in the city on Sunday following last week's communal rioting.

The examination was conducted at 18 centres and as against nearly 10,000 students who had enrolled and registered for the examination, around 1,500 of them appeared for the examination.

A majority of the aspirants from different States did not appear for the examination.

Security was tightened in all examination centres.

Vedike activists staged a protest in front of the court complex seeking greater representation for Kannadigas in the Railways.

[sajiv]

Train services extended

0829A/0830 A Tiruchi-Karaikudi-Tiruchi and 0831 A/0832 A Karaikudi-Manamadurai-Karaikudi passenger specials have been extended to run up to August 16, according to a railway press release.

[sajiv]

Railway projects reviewed

Complete these at the earliest: General Manager

TIRUCHI: General Manager, Southern Railway, M. S. Jayanth on Tuesday reviewed the progress of the ongoing projects being executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), Railway Electrification and Construction Organisation of Southern Railway.

Mr. Jayanth enquired in detail with the Chief Project Manager of the RVNL, Pradeep Gour, on the progress of the gauge conversion works on the Mayiladuturai–Villupuram section on the main line.

He stressed the need to complete the projects at the earliest.

Mr. Gour explained that the work on the construction of the major bridge on Coleroon river was over and laying and linking of track was in progress. Mr. Jayanth expressed urgency to expedite the gauge conversion works on platforms 6 and 7 at Tiruchi junction so that more number of trains could be handled after the completion of the Villupuram – Mayiladuturai BG conversion work, which is nearing completion.

As far as the Railway Electrification is concerned, Deputy Chief Electrical Engineer, Railway Electrification, Ramakrishna said that the sub-station works at Tiruchi are nearing completion and the papers will be submitted to the Commissioner of Railway Safety for inspection shortly.

Divisional Railway Manager S. Subramhanyan explained the progress of the various projects being implemented in Tiruchi Division.

Additional Divisional Railway Manager Ramasubbu and heads of all the departments of Tiruchi Division participated in the review meeting.

[dwarakesh]

Southern Railway regulates train services

MADURAI: Southern Railway regulated/cancelled services of few trains to facilitate bridge maintenance between Tirupparankundram and Tirumangalam on July 17 and 19. A statement here said that the Train No. 384 Coimbatore-Nagercoil passenger will be regulated at Madurai for 45 minutes on July 17.

Similarly, Train No. 788 Sengottai-Madurai passenger would be regulated at Tirumangalam for 15 minutes on the same day. It is also mentioned that Train No. 787/788 Madurai-Sengottai-Madurai passenger would be fully cancelled on July 19.

Train No. 383/384 Nagercoil-Coimbatore-Nagercoil passenger would be partially cancelled between Madurai and Virudhunagar on July 19

[sajiv]

Railway workers stage dharna

HYDERABAD: Members of the South Central Railway Catering Helpers and Workers Union staged a dharna at the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation office here on Wednesday alleging irregularities in allocation of catering contracts in Guntakal and Dharmavaram railways stations.

The railway workers demanded dismissal of officials concerned and allotment of the contracts to catering workers, who had been working with the railways for past 30 years.

[sajiv]

Special trains

CHENNAI: Southern Railway will run the following special trains to clear the rush.

Chennai Central – Coimbatore Special (No. 0617) will leave Chennai Central at 10.20 p.m. on July 21 and reach Coimbatore at 7 a.m. the next day. Coimbatore – Melmaruvathur – Coimbatore Specials (No. ML-01) will leave Coimbatore at 11.30 p.m. on July 22 and arrive at Melmaruvathur at 9 a.m. the next day. In the return direction, train No. ML-02 will leave Melmaruvathur at 9 p.m. on July 25 and arrive in Coimbatore at 7.15 a.m. the next day.

Tiruppur – Melmaruvathur – Tiruppur Specials (No. ML-05) will leave Tiruppur at 6 a.m. on July 23 and arrive at Melmaruvathur at 2.45 p.m. the same day. In the return direction, train No. ML-06 will leave Melmaruvathur at 10.30 p.m. on July 25 and arrive at Tiuppur at 6.30 a.m. the next day. Reservation will commence on July 17.

[sajiv]

Trains cancelled

BANGALORE: Owing to landslips, the Yeshwantpur-Mangalore Express (6517) and Mangalore-Yeshwantpur Express (6518) have been cancelled for two days from Thursday, a press release from South Western Railway said.

[dwarakesh]

Train cancelled

CHENNAI: Train No.2840 Chennai Central - Howrah Mail scheduled to leave Central at 11.35 p.m. on July 18 is cancelled due to cancellation of its

pairing train Howrah -Chennai Central Coromandal Express scheduled to arrive Central at 5.15 p.m. on July 18, according to a railway press

release.

[sajiv]

e-ticketing facility

KOZHIKODE: The Department of Posts has introduced e-ticketing facility for booking air and train tickets at the nine post offices in the Kozhikode division. The Calicut Head Post Office; Calicut Civil Station Head Post Office; Kalpetta head post office; Calicut Medical College; Feroke; West Hill; National Institute of Technology - Calicut (NIT-C) campus; Nadakkavu and Chalappuram would have the e-ticketing facility, P. Ramakrishnan, Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, here on Saturday.

[sajiv]

Railways ready to share fencing cost at Walayar

Speed of trains through the forests to be reduced

Four elephants killed in accidents

Shifting rail line out of forests 'impractical'

PALAKKAD: Y.P. Singh, Divisional Railway Manager, Palakkad, has said that the Railways will meet half the cost of construction if the Forest Department puts up electrified double fences and digs trenches on the forest side of the railway track passing through Walayar where wild elephants are at risk of being run over by train. Four elephants were killed in recent accidents.

At a press conference here on Monday, he said the 10-km electrified fence already there was not working. Another 10 km of fence was needed to prevent the elephants and other wild animals from entering the railway track.

He said that on an experimental basis, the speed of trains through the forest was being reduced. The usual speed through the area was 65 kmph for passenger trains and 25-35 kmph for goods train. There were demands to bring down the speeds.

But the fact was that the elephants would not withstand a hit by a train running at 20 kmph. In the latest case, the train was running at 30 kmph. So speed reduction was not going to help.

If the speed was below 40 kmph, two engines were required to pull a train, leading to the cancellation of many trains on the route. The trains would take two to three hours to reach Coimbatore from Palakkad. However, the Railways had started trial runs at reduced speeds of 30-35 kmph. The suggestion to stop running the train through the 'B' track and keep only the 'A' line open would also lead to cancellations.

He said shifting the railway line outside the forest area was impractical and almost impossible because of the exorbitant cost.

However, the Palakkad Railway Division would propose to conduct a survey on the feasibility of shifting the line, which alone would take one to two years. The division would sent the proposal to the General Manager, Southern Railway, Chennai.

It was for the Railway Board to decide on laying a 50-km electrified double line from Kanjikode to Ettimada with a new alignment. He said that getting land for this was most difficult.

In Kerala, laying an electrified double line cost nearly Rs.20 crore a km. So a 50-km line would cost nearly Rs.1000 crore. The work would take nearly 10 years in Kerala.

[dwarakesh]

Special trains

MADURAI: Southern Railway will operate special trains between Tiruchendur and Chennai to enable devotees visit all the six abodes of Lord Muruga.

The trains will be operated through Arakonam, Erode, Dindigul and Madurai. Tiruttani can be visited from Arakonam and Swamimalai by detraining at Karur and taking the Tiruchi-Kumbakonam route. To visit Palani, they have to get down at Dindigul and for Tirupparankundram and Tirumaliruncholai at Madurai.

According to a release, 0659 Chennai Central-Tiruchendur special will leave Chennai at 3 p.m. on Mondays and Saturdays between July 27 and October 26 and reach Tiruchendur at 6.50 a.m., the next day. The 0660 Tiruchendur-Chennai Central special will leave Tiruchendur at 12.30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Sundays from July 28 to October 27 and reach Chennai Central at 4.35 a.m., the next day.

The special will have one air-conditioned two-tier coach, one air-conditioned three-tier coach, six sleeper class coaches, three general second class and two luggage-cum-brake van coaches. They will halt at Arakonam, Katpadi, Jolarpet, Salem, Erode, Karur, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Vanchi Maniyachi, Tirunelveli, Seydunganallur, Nazareth, Arumuganeri and Kayalpattinam. Train 0660 will also stop at Perambur.

[sajiv]

Unreserved ticketing system

CHENNAI: With immediate effect, unreserved tickets issued through Unreserved Ticketing System involving journey up to 200 km will be issued on the same day and tickets involving journey of more than 200 km will be issued up to 3 days in advance excluding the day of journey.

[sajiv]

Special trains to Kakinada

HYDERABAD: SCR will run special trains between Secunderabad and Kakinada town to clear extra rush of passengers. Train no. 700 Secunderabad-Kakinada special will depart Secunderabad on July 30, 31, August 1 and 2 at 22.30 hrs and arrive Kakinada at 08.50 hrs the next day. In the return direction, train no.701 Kakinada-Secunderabad special will depart Kakinada on July 30, 31, August 1 and 2 at 21.00 hrs and arrive Secunderabad at 08.00 hrs the next day.

[sajiv]

Special train from Howrah to Hyderabad

Hyderabad: The South Central Railway is operating a special train from Howrah to Hyderabad. Train No. 0745 Howrah-Hyderabad will leave Howrah at 6.15 p.m. on July 27 and arrive at 10.30 p.m. on the next day. En route, the train would halt at Kharagpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Barhampur, Palasa, Vizianagaram, Duvvvada, Vijayawada, Kazipat and Secunderabad, said a press release.

[sajiv]

Train services pruned

CHENNAI: Southern Railway on Monday agreed to prune services that pass through the reserve forests on the Coimbatore-Palakkad section and increase the operations on the parallel stretch.

[sajiv]

Pre-qualification bidding for Metro Rail cleared

HYDERABAD: Justice G. Rohini of the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday made it clear that the government could proceed with pre-qualification bidding process for awarding the Hyderabad Metro Rail Project and posted the matter for August 11.

The judge was hearing the case filed by Maytas Metro Ltd., represented by its Director Bandaru Narasimha Rao challenging the action of the State government in cancellation of contract awarded to it as also the encashment of deposits made by it.

The case comes in the light of the government's decision to scrap the contract awarded to Maytas consortium that failed to fulfil its obligations in spite of extended deadline.

[sajiv]

Trains cancelled

CHENNAI: The Southern Railway has cancelled [train nos.116/115] Puducherry – Villupuram - Puducherry passenger trains, due to yard remodelling works at Villupuram from August 1 to 17.

An official release issued on Thursday said that [train nos. 109/110] Melmaruvathur – Villupuram - Melmaruvathur MEMU passenger trains will be partially cancelled between Mundiyampakkam - Villupuram.

[dwarakesh]

Special trains extended

CHENNAI: Southern Railway has extended the Chennai Central – Nagercoil – Chennai Central Weekly Garib Rath Specials up to October 29.

Train No. 0607 Chennai Central – Nagercoil Special (Wednesdays) will be extended from August 19 to October 28 and train No. 0608 Nagercoil – Chennai Central Specials (Thursdays) from August 20 to October 29, according to a Southern Railway release.

[dwarakesh]

Change in train numbers

PALAKKAD: The Palakkad Railway Division in a release here on Friday has said that the numbers of following trains have changed with immediate

effect. Shoranur-Nilambur Passenger (Present number - 0673, new number – 639), Nilambur-Shoranur Passenger (0674, 640), Coimbatore-

Shoranur Passenger (0633, 605), and Shoranur-Coimbatore Passenger (0634, 606).

[sajiv]

Rail passengers will get Himachal apple juice

Train travellers will soon be able to quaff apple juice from Himachal Pradesh with Indian Railways deciding to serve it on important trains, state Horticulture Minister Narender Bragta said Saturday.

'The state government and the railways have reached an understanding under which packaged juices made from Himachal Pradesh apples would be provided to the passengers,' Bragta told reporters.

'Initially, the juice will be provided on selected trains. It would be later provided to passengers of other trains too,' he said.

Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corp (HPMC) is marketing apple juice across the country.

The hill state is one of India's major apple-producing regions, with more than 200,000 families engaged in the cultivation of the fruit.

The state produced 5.1 lakh tonnes of apple in 2008-09. It was 5.93 lakh tonnes in 2007-08.

The apple economy of the state is around Rs.1,500 crore and is flourishing mainly in Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur and Chamba districts.

[sajiv]

'Railway infrastructure is for everyone'

MANGALORE: Freedom fighter, former legislator, and A veteran leftist leader B.V. Kakkilaya on Saturday questioned the rationale behind the opposition for the extension of the Yeshwanthpur-Mangalore train up to Kannur in Kerala.

Delivering the key-note address at a five-day leadership training camp for rural youth, organised by Mangalore University and Udayavani, a Kannada daily, He said: "The Railway infrastructure is for the whole country." There was nothing wrong in extending the train up to Kannur. People of Mangalore could seek extension of other trains such as those coming to Kerala from New Delhi up to Mangalore, he said.

Youths should not be carried away by such parochial demands and look at all the people as belonging to one country. Expressing reservation about the concept of deemed universities he said the educational institutions should be under the control of regular universities.

[dwarakesh]

Special train to clear festival rush

SALEM: The Southern Railway will operate a weekly special train between Chennai and Tuticorin via Salem, Erode, Dindigul and Madurai to clear the extra traffic in the months of August, September and October.

According to a press release, train No. 611 will leave Chennai Central at 7.40 p.m. and arrive at Tuticorin at 9.45 a.m. In the return direction, train No. 612 will leave Tuticorin at 6.15 a.m. and arrive at Chennai Central at 8.30 a.m.

The train service will be available at Chennai on the following dates: August: 12, 19, 26; September: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; October: 7, 14, 21, 28. In Tuticorin, the service will be available on the following dates: August: 13, 20, 27; September 3, 10,17,24; October 1,8,15, 22, 29.

The train will have one AC two-tier coach, one AC three-tier coach, six sleeper class coaches, three general second class coaches and two luggage-cum-brake vans.

Advance reservation for the trains commenced on August 5.

[dwarakesh]

Special trains

HYDERABAD: The SCR will run six special trains between Secunderabad and Kakinada town, Guntur and Rajahmundry to clear passenger rush. Secunderabad-Kakinada town train (700) will depart from Secunderabad on August 7 and 9 at 10.30 p.m. and reach Kakinada at 8.50 a.m. next day. In return, the train (701) will leave Kakinada on August 7 and 9 at 9 p.m., and arrive at Secunderabad at 8 a.m. the following day.

Guntur-Secunderabad special train (713) will leave Guntur on August 9 at 9 p.m. and arrive at Secunderabad 4.30 a.m. the following day. Secunderabad-Rajahmundry special train (715) will leave Secunderabad on August 8 at 11 p.m. and reach Rajahmundry at 8.10 a.m. the next day.

[dwarakesh]

Special trains

With a view to clearing extra rush of passengers, the East Coast Railway will run two special express trains between Secunderabad and

Visakhapatnam. Each will have two trips. On August 7 and 8, train no.0748 will leave Secunderabad by 7.30 p.m. and reach Visakhapatnam by 8.30

a.m. the next day.

Similarly on August 8 and 9, train no.0747 will leave Visakhapatnam by 7.10 p.m. and reach Secunderabad by 8.50 a.m. the next day.

[sajiv]

Special trains to clear rush of passengers

VIJAYAWADA: The South Central Railway is running several special trains to clear extra rush of passengers.

Train number 715 from Secunderabad to Rajahmundry departs from Secunderabad at 11 p.m. on August 08 and arrives in Vijayawada at 04.45 a.m. on August 9. Leaving Vijayawada at 5.05 a.m., it will arrive in Rajahmundry at 8.10 a.m.

Train number 741 from Tirupathi to Secunderabad will depart Tirupathi at 8 p.m. on August 9 and arrive in Vijayawada at 2.40 a.m. on August 10. Leaving Vijayawada at 3 a.m., it will arrive at Secunderabad at 9.10 a.m.

Train number 713 from Guntur to Secunderabad will depart Guntur at 9 p.m. on August 9 and will arrive in Vijayawada at 10 p.m. Leaving Vijayawada at 10.15 p.m., it will arrive at Secunderabad at 4.30 a.m. on August 10.

Train number 748 Hyderabad-Visakhapatnam (via Kazipet) will depart Hyderabad at 7.30 p.m. on August 7 and 8, and arrive in Vijayawada at 2 a.m. the next day. Leaving Vijayawada at 2.20 a.m., it will arrive at Visakhapatnam at 8.30 a.m. In the return direction, train number 747 Visakhapatnam-Hyderabad will depart Visakhapatnam at 7.10 p.m. on August 8 and 9 and arrive at Vijayawada at 2 a.m. the next day. It will leave Vijayawada at 2.20 a.m. and arrive at Hyderabad at 8.50 a.m.

Train number 700 Secunderabad-Kakinada Town will depart Secunderabad at 10.30 p.m. on August 7 and 9, and arrive at Vijayawada at 4.45 a.m. the next day. Leaving Vijayawada at 5 a.m., it will arrive at Kakinada Town at 8.50 a.m. In the return direction, train number 701 Kakinada Town-Secunderabad will depart Kakinada Town at 9 p.m. on August 7 and 9, and arrive in Vijayawada at 12.45 a.m. the next day. Leaving Vijayawada at 1.05 a.m., it will arrive in Secunderabad at 8 a.m.

[dwarakesh]

Special trains for Onam

CHENNAI: In order to clear the extra rush of passengers for ensuing 'Onam' festival, Southern Railway will run the following special trains.

Chennai Central-Kannur Superfast:

Train no.0625 will leave Central at 5 pm on August 30 and reach Kannur at 6.30 am the next day. In the return direction train no.0626 will leave Kannur at 6.15 pm on August 31 and arrive at Central at 8 am the next day.

Chennai Central-Mangalore Superfast:

Train no.0619 will leave Central at 5 pm on September 1 and 3 and reach Mangalore at 9.10 am the next day.

In the return direction train no.0620 will leave Mangalore at 4 pm on September 2 and 4 and arrive at Central at 8 am.

Chennai Central-Trivandrum Special via Kottayam:

Train no. 0657 will leave Central at 8.30 pm on August 28 and reach Trivandrum at 12.45 pm the next day.

Trivandrum- Chennai Central Special via Nagercoil:

Train no.0658 will leave Trivandrum at 2.30 pm on August 29 and arrive at Chennai Central at 8.30 am the next day.

Chennai Central-Trivandrum Special via Alappuzha:

Train no. 0647 will leave Central at 8.30 pm on September 5 and reach Trivandrum at 12.45 pm the next day.

In the return direction train no. 0648 will leave Trivandrum at 2.15 pm on September 6 and arrive at Central at 7.45 am the next day.

Chennai Central-Trivandrum Special via Kottayam:

Train no. 0657 will leave Central at 8.30 pm on September 7 and reach Trivandrum at 12.45 pm the next day.

Advance reservation for the above trains will commence on August 8.

[dwarakesh]

Chennai Central station to get world-class facilities in 5 years

CHENNAI: The Chennai Central will be among three stations in Southern Railway that will get world-class facilities in terms of infrastructure, passenger amenities and security in five years. The other stations are Tiruvananthapuram and Mangalore.

According to Additional General Manager (Southern Railway) V. Carmelus, the Ministry of Railways had sanctioned Rs.100 crore to each of these stations for the modernisation programme.

A high-level committee comprising senior railway officials had been formed to expedite the implementation. The scheme would be implemented in less than five years.

Explaining the salient features of the modernisation plan, Mr.Carmelus said that multi-level platforms would be created to operate express and suburban trains to arrive and depart from the same complex. The Chennai Metro project would have a link on completion.

In view of the space constrains in and around Chennai Central, multi-level parking lots would also be created. "Escalators, elevators and walk-elaters will be established to make passenger movement easy. Uni-flow arrangement with separate arrival and departure route for passengers will be provided to ease congestion," he said. Intensified security was one of the vital components of the plan. Besides strict access-control measures, high-resolution cameras would be installed for the closed circuit television (CCTV) network. Mr.Carmelus said 21 railway stations in the zone had been chosen as 'Adarsh' stations where modern facilities would be in place in about a year.

[dwarakesh]

Special trains to clear Onam season rush

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Southern Railway will run special trains to and from Chennai Central to Kannur, Mangalore, Thiruvananthapuram via Kottayam and Alappuzha between August 30 and September 7 to clear the rush of passengers during Onam.

According to the Railways, the 0625 Chennai Central-Kannur Superfast Special will leave Chennai Central at 5 p.m. on August 30 to arrive in Kannur at 6.30 a.m. the next day. The 0626 Kannur-Chennai Central Superfast Special will leave Kannur at 6.15 p.m. on August 31 to arrive at Chennai Central at 8 a.m. the next day. The trains will halt at Katpadi, Salem, Erode, Tirupur, Podanur, Palakkad, Shoranur, Tirur, Kozhikode, Vadakara and Thalassery. The 0626 will stop at Perambur station.

The 0619 Chennai Central-Mangalore Superfast Special will leave Chennai Central at 5 p.m. on September 1 and 3 to arrive in Mangalore at 9.10 a.m. the next day. The 0620 Mangalore-Chennai Central Superfast Special will leave Mangalore at 4 p.m. on September 2 and 4 to arrive at Chennai Central at 8 a.m. the next day.

According to the railways, both the trains will stop at Katpadi, Salem, Erode, Tirupur, Podanur, Palakkad, Shoranur, Tirur, Kozhikode, Vadakara, Thalassery, Kannur, Payyanur, Kanhangad and Kasaragod. The 0620 will stop at Perambur station.

The 0657 Chennai Central-Thiruvananthapuram Special will leave Chennai Central at 8.30 p.m. on August 28 to arrive at Thiruvananthapuram Central at 12.45 p.m. the next day. The train will stop at Arakkonam, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Coimbatore, Palakkad, Thrisur, Aluva, Ernakulam Town, Kottayam, Chenganaseri, Tiruvalla, Chengannur, Mavelikara, Kayamkulam, Kollam and Varkala railway stations, the release said.

The 0658 Thiruvananthapuram- Chennai Central Special will leave Thiruvananthapuram at 2.30 p.m. on August 29 to arrive at Chennai Central at 8.30 a.m. the next day. The train will stop at Nagercoil, Valliyur, Tirunelveli, Vanchi Maniyachchi, Kovilpatti, Satur, Virudunagar, Madurai, Dindigul, Karur, Erode, Salem, Jolarpettai, Katpadi, Arakkonam and Perambur.

The 0647 Chennai Central-Thiruvananthapuram Special will leave Chennai Central at 8.30 p.m. on September 5 to arrive at Thiruvananthapuram Central at 12.45 p.m. the next day. In the return direction, the 0648 Thiruvananthapuram-Chennai Central Special will leave Thiruvananthapuram at 2.15 p.m. on September 6 to arrive at Chennai Central at 7.45 a.m. the next day.

According to the railways, the trains will stop at Arakkonam, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Coimbatore, Palakkad, Thrisur, Aluva, Ernakulam Jn, Chertala, Alappuzha, Ambalapuzha, Haripad, Kayamkulam, Kollam and Varkala.

The 0657 Chennai Central-Thiruvananthapuram Special will leave Chennai Central at 8.30 p.m. on September 7 to arrive at Thiruvananthapuram Central at 12.45 p.m. the next day.

The train will stop at Arakkonam, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Coimbatore, Palakkad, Thrisur, Aluva, Ernakulam Town, Kottayam, Changanaseri, Tiruvalla, Chengannur, Mavelikara, Kayamkulam, Kollam and Varkala. According to the railways, the advance reservation for the above trains commenced on August 8.

[sajiv]

Operate more trains to and from Tiruchi

The Villupuram–Tiruchi section electrification work has been successfully completed. Now that the Tiruchi Junction is provided with five platforms and platforms 6 and 7 are getting equipped, we hope that there will not be any difficulty in running the trains as usual as it was prior to broad gauge conversion. Having spent crores of rupees in gauge conversion and electrification, it will be futile if trains are not frequently operated resulting in loss of revenue and ruin to the Railways whereas in convenience and difficulty to the public.

S. Sridhar,

Woraiyur.
Remove trees near bridges

A lot of pepal and banyan trees are growing in between the joints of rail over bridge and road over bridges which will damage the structure early. Especially near the Srirangam-Thiruvanaikoil overbridge a lot of trees are growing which need to be cleared immediately. It is requested that the authorities to take action in this regard.

S. Ramakrishnan.

T.V.Koil.
Helmet usage

This refers to the news item "Heads Safe" appeared in The Hindu dated July 30. Though wearing helmet is certainly a protective measure, certain aspect such as the cost, difference in quality, inability of the rider to hear the horn of other vehicles have also to be considered. It is also a fact that wearing helmets was made compulsory in Chennai and other cities 1985 and strictly enforced only to be relaxed periodically by the Government. But the sound principle governing the scheme remains.

S. Ranganathan,

Tennur.
Regulate autorickshaws

There are plenty of changes in the city after Mr. Karuna Sagar took over as the Commissioner of Police such as wearing helmet compulsorily, fine for vehicles halted in no parking zones, etc. At the same time there are many autoricksaws running at erratic speed and most of the drivers are below the age of 18 driving without proper documents such as licence, RC book and charging huge money for a short distance. The Commissioner may take steps to fix meter in the autoricksaws and check all the autoricksaws whether they are having the necessary documents.

D. Mahendran,

North Dharanallur.
Dazzling headlights

Traffic regulation through public address system in Thillainagar and Chatram bus stand has definitely brought a semblance of discipline, thanks to the new Police Commissioner. But it is only a job half-done because night driving continues to remain a nightmare still, with dazzling headlights from trucks and lorries, which cause many an accident. Various traffic weeks and melas that are organised time and again see that the heavy vehicles are affixed with bull's eye stickers only to get peeled off in due course of time. It is for the traffic police to see that the head lights are painted black if it is to last.

A.V. Narayanan,

Thillainagar.
Stray dog menace

There are plenty of stray dogs at Karumandapam. Therefore, I request the Corporation authorities to take steps periodically to control the menace of stray dogs.

X. Rosario Rajkumar

Karumandapam.
II

The Anna Stadium is used by the public for morning exercises and in the evening also. About 500 citizens and students use the arena and the peripheral road around it for jogging and walking. There are not less than four dozen stray dogs roaming on this outer road and also inside the stadium and Bharathidasan University, Women's' Hostel buildings, etc. The Corporation should take immediate action to end the dog menace.

A. Chandrasekharan,

Thanjavur Main Road.
Exclusive bus service to and from airport

Many flights are being operated from Tiruchi airport. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation is operating only one bus from airport to the city.

This causes a lot of hardship to the people as they have to pay exorbitant money for the autos and taxis. Also, the residents of Kamaraj Nagar and other areas adjacent to the airport have to depend on the buses which ply from OFT/HAPP/Police Colony to the city, which are always crowded.

It is high time that the transport authorities operate more or exclusive bus services from and to airport.

R. Hariharan,

Airport Colony.
Steps to safeguard missing children

To safeguard the missing children in hospital both private and Government it is desirable to make mandatory provision that the photo identity of both mother, child shall be enveloped in the case sheet and body of care taker shall be applicable in all time from new born ward and age of seven years.

C. Balakrishnan,

Thillainagar.
Parking charges

In Central bus stand, Rs. 5 is collected towards parking charges for two wheelers. The parking charges are neither printed in the token nor displayed at the vehicle stand. Hence, it is requested that the administration either display a board listing the charges to be collected or print it on the token.

P.K. Raman,

Ayyappa Nagar.
More buses needed

About 3,000 families are residing in the Tamil Nadu Housing Board houses at Anna Nagar and Police Colony, situated at Navalpattu Panchayat. A large number of office-goers and students residing in these areas travel to Main Guard Gate.

But there are no adequate bus services. A minimum of four buses may be introduced from Anna Nagar and Police Colony to Main Guard Gate via the two routes of Junction and Tiruverumbur respectively.

K.P. Leon,

Navalpattu Annanagar.
Cattle problem on roads

It is a welcome sign that the Corporation has come out with a proposal to fine cattle roaming on the streets hindering traffic movement. Similarly the Corporation should take measures to eliminate stray dogs which are in high numbers in all the areas of Tiruchi. Steps should be taken to sterilise them at least to check their population.

D. Saminathan,

Karumandapam.
Police station at Shanmuga Nagar

The incidence of crimes like robbery, chain snatching, etc., are on the rise especially in Shanmuga Nagar and Uyakondanthirumalai. As the culprits wear helmets, identification proves to be a big problem.

What is more shocking is the fact that these crimes are being committed in broad daylight.

Moreover these crimes, which reduced a year back, has again shown an upward trend in Shanmuganagar.

A police station is immediately required in Shanmuganagar to check the activities of anti-social elements.

T.M. Seetharaman,

Uyakondanthirumalai.

[dwarakesh]

New railway timetable

CHENNAI: The Public Time Table and Trains at a Glance (issue pertaining to July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009) will remain valid till

October 31, 2009 and the new timetable will come into force from November 1, instead of October 1.

[dwarakesh]

Special trains for Independence Day, Onam


CHENNAI: In order to clear the extra rush of passengers during the coming Onam festival, Southern Railway will run the following special trains.

Chennai Central-Kochuveli Superfast via Kottayam: Train No. 0633 will leave Central at 3.15 p.m. on August 29 and September 5 and reach Kochuveli at 6.30 a.m. the next day. In the return direction, No. 0634 will leave Kochuveli at 12 noon on August 30 and September 6 and will arrive at Central at 4.50 a.m. the next day.

Chennai Central-Kollam Superfast via Kottayam: Train No. 0645 will leave Central at 8.30 p.m. on August 31 and reach Kollam at 11.25 a.m. the next day.

In the return direction, No. 0646 will leave Kollam at 1 p.m. on September 1 and arrive at Central at 4.50 a.m. the next day.

Chennai Central-Kollam Superfast via Alappuzha: Train No. 0621 will leave Central at 6.05 p.m. on September 2 and reach Kollam at 10 a.m. the next day. In the return direction, No. 0622 will leave Kollam at 3.15 p.m. on September 3 and arrive Central at 7.45 a.m. the next day.

Chennai Central-Kollam Superfast via Alappuzha: Train No. 0631 will leave Central at 11.30 p.m. on September 2 and reach Kollam at 2.45 p.m. the next day.

In the return direction, No. 0632 will leave Kollam at 9.15 p.m. on September 3 and arrive Central at 12.20 p.m. the next day.

Southern Railway will also run the following special trains:

Chennai Central-Nagercoil Specials: Train No. 0603 will leave Central at 6.05 p.m. on August 12 and reach Nagercoil at 10 a.m. the next day. In the return direction, No. 0604 will leave Nagercoil at 12.15 p.m. on August 13 and arrive Central at 3.45 a.m. the next day.

Train No. 0605 will leave Central at 8.30 p.m. on August 14 and arrive Nagercoil at 12.20 p.m. the next day.

In the return direction, No. 0606 will leave Nagercoil at 12.15 p.m. on August 16 and arrive Central at 3.45 a.m.

Advance reservation for these trains will start on August 11, according to a Southern Railway press release.

[sajiv]

Special trains for Independence Day, Onam

CHENNAI: In order to clear the extra rush of passengers during the coming Onam festival, Southern Railway will run the following special trains.

Chennai Central-Kochuveli Superfast via Kottayam: Train No. 0633 will leave Central at 3.15 p.m. on August 29 and September 5 and reach Kochuveli at 6.30 a.m. the next day. In the return direction, No. 0634 will leave Kochuveli at 12 noon on August 30 and September 6 and will arrive at Central at 4.50 a.m. the next day.

Chennai Central-Kollam Superfast via Kottayam: Train No. 0645 will leave Central at 8.30 p.m. on August 31 and reach Kollam at 11.25 a.m. the next day.

In the return direction, No. 0646 will leave Kollam at 1 p.m. on September 1 and arrive at Central at 4.50 a.m. the next day.

Chennai Central-Kollam Superfast via Alappuzha: Train No. 0621 will leave Central at 6.05 p.m. on September 2 and reach Kollam at 10 a.m. the next day. In the return direction, No. 0622 will leave Kollam at 3.15 p.m. on September 3 and arrive Central at 7.45 a.m. the next day.

Chennai Central-Kollam Superfast via Alappuzha: Train No. 0631 will leave Central at 11.30 p.m. on September 2 and reach Kollam at 2.45 p.m. the next day.

In the return direction, No. 0632 will leave Kollam at 9.15 p.m. on September 3 and arrive Central at 12.20 p.m. the next day.

Southern Railway will also run the following special trains:

Chennai Central-Nagercoil Specials: Train No. 0603 will leave Central at 6.05 p.m. on August 12 and reach Nagercoil at 10 a.m. the next day. In the return direction, No. 0604 will leave Nagercoil at 12.15 p.m. on August 13 and arrive Central at 3.45 a.m. the next day.

Train No. 0605 will leave Central at 8.30 p.m. on August 14 and arrive Nagercoil at 12.20 p.m. the next day.

In the return direction, No. 0606 will leave Nagercoil at 12.15 p.m. on August 16 and arrive Central at 3.45 a.m.

Advance reservation for these trains will start on August 11, according to a Southern Railway press release.

[sajiv]

Special train to Hyderabad

VISAKHAPATNAM: Special express trains will be run between Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad to clear the extra rush of passengers. Train no. 0748 Hyderabad – Visakhapatnam will leave Hyderabad on August 13 and 15 at 7.30 p.m. and arrive here at 8.30 a.m. on the following days. The train will have halts at Secunderabad, Kazipet, Warangal, Khammam, Madhira, Vijayawada, Eluru, Tadepalligudem, Rajahmundry, Samalkot, Annavaram, Tuni, Anakapalle and Duvvada, according to Senior Divisional Commercial Manager H.L. Luwang.

In the return direction, Train no. 0747 Visakhapatnam - Hyderabad Express will leave Visakhapatnam at 7.10 p.m. on August 14 and 16 and reach Hyderabad at 8.50 a.m. on the following days. The train will also have the same halts as train no. 0748.

The trains will have two luggage vans, two general coaches, one 2nd AC, one 3rd AC and 10 Sleeper Coaches.

[sajiv]

Special train to Hyderabad

VISAKHAPATNAM: Special express trains will be run between Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad to clear the extra rush of passengers. Train no. 0748 Hyderabad – Visakhapatnam will leave Hyderabad on August 13 and 15 at 7.30 p.m. and arrive here at 8.30 a.m. on the following days. The train will have halts at Secunderabad, Kazipet, Warangal, Khammam, Madhira, Vijayawada, Eluru, Tadepalligudem, Rajahmundry, Samalkot, Annavaram, Tuni, Anakapalle and Duvvada, according to Senior Divisional Commercial Manager H.L. Luwang.

In the return direction, Train no. 0747 Visakhapatnam - Hyderabad Express will leave Visakhapatnam at 7.10 p.m. on August 14 and 16 and reach Hyderabad at 8.50 a.m. on the following days. The train will also have the same halts as train no. 0748.

The trains will have two luggage vans, two general coaches, one 2nd AC, one 3rd AC and 10 Sleeper Coaches.