Introduction of Vande Bharat trains from Vizag to Bengaluru, Tirupati sought at DRUCC meet

The second Divisional Railway Users’ Consultative Committee meeting for 2025-26 was held here on Tuesday (February 3). Divisional Railway Manager Lalit Bohra chaired the meeting. Members of the committee, ADRM (Infra) E. Santhram and Divisional Branch Officers attended.

Nine DRUCC members participated in the meeting, including Ch. Vamsi Krishna Srinivas, MLA of Visakhapatnam South. Representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, industries, cultural associations, recognised passenger associations, special interest groups and nominees of Members of Parliament were also present.

K. Pavan Kumar, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager and DRUCC Secretary, welcomed the members and presented an overview of the division’s developmental activities, performance and achievements.

The DRUCC members present were Ch. Vamsi Krishna Srinivas, A. V. S. Prasad (Special Interest), Dr. B. Rajesh (nominated by the Chamber of Commerce, Visakhapatnam), Ch. Avataram Naidu (Visakhapatnam Port Trust), Ch. Gandhi (nominated by MP, Lok Sabha, Visakhapatnam), a representative of Satyaprakash Panda (Andhra Odisha Railway Users’ Association, GNPR), U. Dilip Patro (The Ability People, Visakhapatnam), V. Satyanarayana Rao (Parvatipuram Town Passengers Association) and Dr. Y. Raghuram Reddy (Special Interest).

Members raised concerns and offered suggestions on passenger amenities, including improved facilities for Divyangjan, introduction of special and regular trains, increase in train frequency, train naming and overall service improvements.

Mr. Gandhi highlighted the need for the introduction of Vande Bharat Express services from Visakhapatnam to Bengaluru and Tirupati. He also sought a reduction in parking charges at Duvvada railway station.

The Divisional Railway Manager assured the committee that appropriate action would be taken within the available provisions and that other issues would be forwarded to the concerned authorities for necessary action.