Waltair Divisional Railway Manager Lalit Bohra speaking at a press conference in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: V. RAJU
The Waltair Division has achieved its best-ever performance in the first half of 2025-2026, setting new benchmarks in freight loading, operational efficiency, and passenger amenities, said Divisional Railway Manager Lalit Bohra. All key indicators show robust, double-digit growth, highlighting the division’s strategic planning and commitment to service excellence, he added.
Addressing a media conference in Visakhapatnam on Saturday (October 04, 2025), Mr. Bohra said that at 60 rakes, a day, in the first six months of the present fiscal, the Division’s performance was much higher than the previous best of 54, a day, during the 2023-24 financial year. The Division also achieved its best performance in September by loading 62 rakes, a day, during the month. The growth in freight from Nagarnar Steel Plant in Odisha was 85% this year, compared to the previous year. Similarly, the freight growth from Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) was 36% and from Gangavaram Port was 24%.
The division recorded its best-ever achievements, with significant improvements across loading capacity, freight earnings, and operational efficiency. Daily loading capacity rose by 10.78%, while goods earnings surged by 12.18% over the previous year, he said.
The Kirandul-Bacheli iron ore loading reached 12.79 million tonnes, registering 21.69% increase. He said that iron ore alone contributed an increase of ₹800 crore, recording a 20.68% jump over the previous year. Modernisation of 15 stations in Waltair Division were being taken up under the Amrit Bharat initiative, which include Duvvada and Simhachalam stations, located in Visakhapatnam city limits.
The DRM said that Visakhapatnam Railway Station has handled 1.6 crore originating passengers between April and September this year, and got the highest-ever passenger revenue of ₹426 crore during the same period. He said that over 1.5 lakh passengers utilised 121 special trains operated up to September 2025. More than 3,300 coaches were added, handling the peak festival rush.
The division has strengthened security with CCTVs, drone surveillance, and body-worn cameras for RPF personnel, along with focused initiatives such as Meri Saheli, Nanhe Fariste, and Mission Narcotics.
Replying to queries, Mr. Bohra said that holiday specials were operated from Visakhapatnam to Tirupati, Shalimar, Charlapalli and Bengaluru and 23 holiday specials from other destinations also passed through the Division. He said that doubling work on the KR line was being done in phases. On the Kottavalasa – Kirandul line six blocks were remaining of which two blocks were critical due to tunnel work. The work was scheduled for completion during 2027-2028, he added.
Published – October 04, 2025 08:49 pm IST
