Centre ignores train connectivity to capital

Vijayawada: The State government is constructing Andhra Pradesh’s capital city Amaravati nearer to Prakasam barrage between Krishna and Guntur districts. But railway department did not announce any plans to for the construction of new railway lines or connectivity to the capital city.

The higher officials of railways department inspected various areas in the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) several times. But they did not reveal any plan to provide connectivity to Amaravati capital city.

The State government has also not bringing pressure with regard to railway infrastructure, as it has already developed long ago in the surroundings of Amaravati. The railway stations like Krishna Canal junction, Mangalagiri, Rayanapadu or Kondapalli are adjacent to Amaravati capital city.

But the railway officials didn't initiate survey or make any plan to develop these stations for the future needs of capital city. Infact, the Singapore planners and government authorities including railways did not focus to link the Chennai-Howrah-Hyderabad main-lane with the new capital city.

According to railway officials, the railway department did not take any steps for future transport needs of capital city. But the railway made only announcement long ago for creation of new line.

The State government concentrated mainly on metro rail connection to capital city but did not bring pressure on the railway department to utilise its available infrastructure for providing rail connectivity to capital city.

Similarly, the Singapore planners have designed the capital city with express highways, and water transportation connection. The State government proposed new airport at Mangalagiri-Pedaparimi area nearer to capital location.

But the State government and Singapore planners did not consider to use the railway infrastructure, which is available from three to ten kms distance away from the present capital location entry point in East and North directions. The railway department has also not initiated any survey based on ongoing developments.

Actually, Krishna canal junction, Mangalagiri station in Guntur district Kondapalli and Rayanapadu stations in Krishna district are very near to Amaravati capital city in two different directions.

The stations are located on important Chennai-Howrah, Hyderabad-Vijayawada-Howrah main lines. The passengers who want to visit capital location are no need to reach Vijayawada main railway station in the both Hyderabad and Chennai directions. If these stations are expanded and developed, the people could reach Amaravati without entering to Vijayawada main railway station.

Zonal Railway Users Committee former member S Allauddin said that the railway department has the responsibility to provide rail connectivity for the future needs of new capital city Amaravati. He said the State government has no role in this regard. MP Kesineni Srinivas submitted letters to railway general manager in this regard, he recalled.