Chennai-bound Vande Bharat Express chugs off from Narsapur

Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma flagged off the Narsapur–MGR Chennai Central Vande Bharat Express at Narsapur railway station on Monday.

Train No.20678 Vande Bharat Express will halt at Bhimavaram Town, Gudivada, Vijayawada, Tenali, Ongole, Nellore and Renigunta, and reach MGR Chennai Central at 11.45 p.m.

Mr. Varma said that the talks were in progress with the Ministry of Railways for the halt of Bengaluru and Hyderabad-bound Vande Bharat trains at Narsapuram railway station in West Godavari district. 

“Train connectivity to Narsapuram will give a fillip to the trade and aquaculture. Better connectivity will accelerate economic activity and trade along the Narsapuram coast,” he said.

Mr. Varma said that the Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat train is likely to halt at Tadepalligudem soon. He also promised a special train between Narsapuram and Bengaluru.

Deputy Speaker K. Raghu Ramakrishna Raju, Narsapuram MLA Bommidi Narayana Nayakar, South Central Railway (SCR) Additional General Manager Satya Prakash, Vijayawada Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Mohit Sonakiya, ADRM Srinivas Rao Konda and other officers participated in the programme.

Rail passengers expressed happiness for operating Vande Bharat from Narsapur. Many people welcomed the new train at Palakol, Undi, Bhimavaram, Akiveedu, Kaikalur, Gudivada and other stations on the first day.

“Journey in Vande Bharat train was a dream of many people of the undivided Godavari districts. We thank the Indian Railways for operating Vande Bharat Express from Narsapur to Chennai,” said M. Naga Devi of Palakol.

“The train will be of immense help for the students and employees from Amalapuram, Razole, Mogalturu, Sakinetipalli and other places who are studying or settled in Tamil Nadu. The train will benefit the aquaculture traders as well,” said D. Keertana, a student of Razole.