KAKINADA: Development initiatives of the Rajamahendravaram Main Railway Station are at a standstill, though the Railways had sanctioned Rs 271 crore for this fiscal.A plan had been prepared for development of the railway station in view of the Godavari Pushkaralu-2027 and meet the future requirements as well.Notably, when M Bharat Ram was the MP of Rajamahendravaram during 2014-19, the railways had sanctioned some funds for development of the Rajamahendravaram main railway station and other stations in the constituency limits.Bharat told Deccan Chronicle that the elevation of East and West railway stations, construction of the new platforms, a provision for escalators and new facilities to the passengers and for goods carriers had been sanctioned during his term. However, the presentgovernment here failed to follow up on these. Hence, there was no headway in the development works.He suggested that the alliance leaders pay attention to railway development in the state. If the railways commenced the work, it would take two years for their completion.Rajamahendravaram Lok Sabha member D Purandeswari said she met the SCR general manager Sanjay Srivastava and held discussions on the railway projects. Though the railways had sanctioned `271 crore six months back for development of the stations, in particular Rajamahendravaram, tenders were not invited so far. The GM assured her that he would do this within two or three days and that the first phase work would commence soon.Purandeswari also said toilets and other facilities should be improved in the Godavari and Kovvur railway stations. She said that prior to the Covid-19, nearly 18 trains had halts in Kovvur station, but now only nine are being halted. She requested the GM to restore the halt for the other trains too, in particular the Tirupati and Chennai bound trains.She also said the railways should re-start the passenger services linking the Rajamahendravaram-Tanuku, Bhimavaram and Narsapur towns.
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