RAJAHMUNDRY: South Central Railway (SCR) general manager K Srivastava inspected the on-going development work in the Rajahmundry and Godavari railway stations Wednesday.
Later, Sri Vastava said that top priority would be given to the safety of passengers and there was no compromise in this regard. The SCR is also providing necessary facilities in the railway stations to cater to the needs of the people, he added. Kovvur and Nidadavolu railway stations will also be developed for the next year’s Godavari Pushkarams. Along with this, additional platform ticket counters, toilets and temporary sheds would also be arranged to meet the needs of pilgrims, he said.
The SCR GM asked the respective departments to submit proposals to take up necessary works and the road-cum-rail bridge. Plans are also afoot to appoint 16,000 males and 4,000 females for Railway Protection Force in the SCR, he said. A Nirbhaya Squad has also been set up.
He directed the officials to shift the vehicle parking from the premises of the railway station immediately. Meanwhile, Rajahmundry Rural MLA Gorantla Buchaiah Choudary asked the GM to develop East railway station also with necessary facilities for the Pushkarams. Rajahmundry Urban MLA Dr Akula Satyanarayana underlined the need to increase the number of platforms and amenities in the railway stations in the city.
Mayor Pantham Rajani Sesha Sai asked the GM to provide an escalator in the main railway station. SCR Vijayawada divisional manager Pradeep Kumar, Kovvur MLA KS Jawahar, Nidadavolu MLA B Sesha Rao, station superintendent BHN Sastry and other officials were present.
New Plans
■ Kovvur and Nidadavolu will be developed for next year’s Godavari Pushkarams
■ Additional platform ticket counters, toilets and temporary sheds to be arranged
■ 20,000 RPF personnel to be appointed