Tenders for 500 cr worth works cancelled

Tirupati: Much delay seems inevitable in starting Tirupati railway station redevelopment works as the tenders which were called earlier were cancelled due to some technical reasons and fresh tenders have to be floated again soon. This may take at least another three more months, said Guntakal Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Vijay Prathap Singh. 

The Rs 500 crore works were aimed at developing the station like an airport with advanced passenger amenities and additional platforms. The General Manager of South Central Railway (SCR) Vinod Kumar Yadav has been trying to take up the works at the earliest to provide hassle free journey to thousands of pilgrims visiting Tirupati every day. He made several visits to the city and held several rounds of meetings with various agencies and officials in this regard. 

But still the project was facing several hitches at every stage. Speaking to The Hans India on Monday, he said that the Railway Under Bridge (RUB) works at Rayalacheruvu Railway gate also will be delayed as the drain diversion works have to be taken up by local administration. It may be recalled that the Municipal Corporation of Tirupati has to take up diversion works which they could not do for long.

The railway authorities were waiting for these works to get completed. Though the government of AP has issued orders stating that TUDA has to bear the expenditure component on behalf of the government, there was no movement till date. 

The DRM has made it clear that the works at Tiruchanur railway station were going on expected lines. He made surprise visits at Tirupati railway station on Monday and went round the platforms, waiting halls and inspected passenger amenities in view of the increasing rush on account of Vaikunta Ekadasi on Tuesday. Senior DCM Rakesh, Station Director K Satyanarayana, Station Manager M Subodh Mithra and RPF CI K Saidaiah were also present.