Rajamahendravaram station to get a facelift

Rajamahendravaram: Vijayawada Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) R Dhananjayulu said that plans are afoot to develop town railway station up to international standards. As the station is located between Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, Rajamahendravaram is an important centre in Vijayawada division, the DRM pointed out.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, he said yard development works worth Rs 30 crore were being executed at the station as part of its development. To ease train movement and to cater to future needs, fourth and fifth platforms will be constructed at Rajamahendravaram by the end of March 2019, he said. The request for the sixth platform is also being considered, the DRM said.

Necessary facilities would be provided on 4th and 5th platforms along with arranging foot-over bridges and escalators, he added. Development of MEMU car shed at an estimated cost of Rs 7.6 crore is also under progress and Rajamahendravaram turned into a centre for MEMU car services, he added. Toilets will be provided in the rakes to operate them to distant places. He said the fourth phase of works at an estimated cost of Rs 30 crore would commence shortly at the station.

Some land has been allotted for the construction of toilets at the station premises and the municipal corporation will construct the toilets. Admissions into sixth class at the railway school are being allowed temporarily this year. Rajamahendravaram Municipal Corporation came forward to maintain the railway school and also start a junior college. As it is a new concept, the proposal is under consideration with the railway board, he said.

The DRM pointed out that at present 72 per cent of people are reserving their tickets through online and 28 per cent are reserving their tickets at reservation counters. MP Maganti Murali Mohan and rural MLA Gorantla Buchaiah Choudary were present.