MPs vow to fight for Waltair merger with SCoR

Vijayawada: Members of Parliament from Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions here on Tuesday said they would continue to fight for the merger of Waltair division with the South Coastal Railway (SCoR), to be formed. The Union government has announced the former of SCoR under Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.

The MPs on Tuesday submitted a representation to South Central Railway General Manager Gajanan Mallya, requesting him to complete the ongoing railway project works in the State, introduce new railway trains and railway projects.

MPs Kesineni Srinivas, Y S Avinash Reddy, P V Midhun Reddy, K Gorantal Madhav, Raghu Rama Krishna Raju, Chinta Anuradha, Vanga Geeta and others met the General Manager and submitted representation at the Traction Drivers Training Centre.

Later, speaking to media, the MPS said they would continue fight for the separate Railway zone with Waltair division. Midhun Reddy said MP Vijay Sai Reddy had already met the Railway Minister and pleaded for merger of Waltair division with the SCoR. He said representations were given to the Railway Board for the merger of Waltair division with the SCoR.

He further said the MPs had demanding speedy completion of ongoing projects in the State and for the sanctioning of new lines and introduction of new trains to the State. He said laying new railway line for capital Amaravati and its connectivity to other States is also an important issue.

He said representation was submitted to the General Manager for the development of Railway stations, particularly the Vijayawada Railway Station. Geeta said the MPs are asking for increasing train connectivity between north coastal districts to the capital region of Amaravati.

She underlined the need for introduction of new trains in the State since all the existing trains are not enough to cater to the needs of passengers.Kesineni Srinivas walked out of the meeting midway. He said it became a practice to attend the meeting hosted by railways and submit representation every year.