Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam   

Shirdi Express likely to be discontinued

VISAKHAPATNAM: The popular special train – Shirdi Express – hasn't been extended though its ‘final run' is slated for June 29. Thanks to the indifference of our people's representatives, the popular train is likely to be withdrawn this time.

There are allegations that the overzealous East Coast Railway (ECoR) authorities in Bhubaneswar want to corner all the facilities for their region and are least bothered about the problems and demands of the people of Visakhapatnam.

The long cherished demand of the people of the city for a direct train to Shirdi materialised in May 2009 with the introduction of Visakhapatnam-Shirdi bi-weekly express leaving here on Wednesdays and Saturdays and from Shirdi on Tuesdays and Sundays, as a special train. The train is very convenient for pilgrims visiting the abode of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba apart from passengers bound for the State capital.

Despite its immense popularity and overwhelming patronage, and the train running to full capacity on all the days, the ECoR. authorities haven't taken any steps to make it into a regular train even though it has successfully completed two years.

“Special trains are normally operated for six months and depending on their patronage and revenue collections they would be made into regular trains,” said a railway source. The proposal to make it into a daily train wasn't included in this year's Railway budget also. To make matters worse, the ECoR authorities in Bhubaneswar had reduced the special train to once a week, a few months ago, to facilitate introduction of a special train to Shirdi from Bhubaneswar.

Rath Yatra

Meanwhile, it's learnt that though Waltair Division authorities had already sent proposals recommending extension of the Visakhapatnam - Shirdi Express, in view of its immense popularity, there was no reply from the zonal headquarters. The ECoR . authorities are said to be keen on running all specials to Puri in view of the forthcoming Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and are planning to use all the available rakes at their disposal for the purpose.

Our people's representatives should take a cue from their counterparts in Orissa who sink their political differences when it comes to protecting the interests of their State.

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