VISAKHAPATNAM: Through trains will again enter Visakhapatnam railway station from Friday with the completion of works relating to modern route relay interlocking (RRI) taken up by the Waltair division of the East Coast Railway (EcoR).

The work, which began on November 3, was completed one day ahead of schedule, claimed Divisional Railway Manager Indra Ghosh.

Talking to newsmen on Wednesday, he said all through trains that would touch Duvvada after 10 a.m. on November 17 would enter the Visakhapatnam station. Similar would be the case of trains coming from the Vizianagaram side. Trials would be held on Thursday.

While RRI work was taken up at a cost of Rs. 7.6 crores, the "increase in traffic facilities and yard remodelling" work, including laying of additional platform (6) and extension of platforms 2, 3, 4 and 5 to receive trains with 24 coaches, was taken up at a cost of Rs. 16.6 crores.

Asked how far the train delay would be reduced, Mr. Ghosh said if two trains approach Vizag at the same time, preference would be given to the more important train. Hence, if at all there was to be any delay it would only be for five or seven minutes.

Salient features

Explaining the salient features of RRI works, deputy chief engineer G.H. Victor Joseph said the push-button operation would automatically set routes within 10 seconds, and henceforth there would be least delay to trains. On frequent breakdown of computer link in the passenger reservation system (PRS) in the city, Mr. Ghosh said the Railway Board had sanctioned a higher capacity networking system with alternate routing. This would be in operation by next year. To help people avoid standing in long queues, token system would be introduced in the Vizag station in the next three days.

"There is a plan to construct a separate building for PRS with separate parking area and other facilities in the station," he said.

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