Train delays at outer signals pester passengers

Secunderabad: Rail passengers, especially the ones who commute daily, are a harried lot as several trains are forced to stop at outer signals for want of space. Ravi Kiran, a 24-year-old professional who travels from Secunderabad Railway Station to Borabanda daily, says, “As trains are kept for long periods of time in outer signals, it has an effect on many other trains. Office goers are the worst affected.”

Some trains are always late, for instance, Train No 77606 Manoharabad-Secunderabad local is perennially late by 30 minutes except on Fridays as there is no service on this day. M Mahapatra, a retired Postal Department employee says, “The Secunderabad station has been selected for station redevelopment project, but one does not see any movement on this front.”

Another passenger, R V Rao, said Train No 57131 Bolarum-Hyderabad passenger is always late by one to two hours. Noor, general secretary, Suburban Train and Bus Travellers’ Association says, “In the past, there used to be more than 40 passenger trains but now the number has dwindled. Secunderabad Railway Station is bursting at the seams and unless more platforms are built, there is no hope.”

Another train that is often delayed is Train No 77608 Medchal-Secunderabad by 30 minutes. Balamma, a vegetable vendor who commutes between the two stations says, “Though the train is a big boon for small-time farmers and vendors, delay could result in loss of a lot of money. If we miss the peak hours in the morning, which is the most productive time, we lose out a lot.”

On Monday, V Naveen Kumar, who was travelling from Vijayawada to Secunderabad had a harrowing experience. He says, “The train was supposed to arrive at Secunderabad at 4:30 am but was delayed by three hours. The train halted at Bibinagar station for almost for two hours while special trains were allowed to pass.”