Some good news for thousands of passengers visiting railway stations falling in the South Central Railway (SCR) limits everyday, especially those lifting heavy luggage while climbing up and down the stairs as the much talked about escalators and lifts are soon going to be a reality.
In a move to boost passenger amenities at the railway stations, SCR will construct as many as 40 escalators and lifts at all the important 14 railway stations in SCR limits within 6-8 months, including a few at Secunderabad, Kacheguda and Nampally railway stations for which foundation works have begun.
On an average, thousands of people visit the railway station daily. Apart from passengers leaving for and arriving from different destinations, people also visit in large numbers to receive and see off passengers.
Speaking to Express, SCR chief PRO, K Sambasiva Rao, said the proposal to have escalators at the stations was taken as old people, ailing persons, physically challenged and women carrying infants experience hardship while climbing up and down the stairs with their baggage, especially during rush hours. On many occasions, old people require assistance to reach the busy platforms, particularly when the crowds swell during arrival of trains, he added.
Already two such escalators are functioning in Vijayawada railway station. The others for which purchase order is released include Vijayawada (3), Nellore (3), Rajahmundry (2), Hyderabad (2), Secunderabad (7), Kacheguda (3), Tirupati (4), Guntur (1), Nanded (1). Warangal (2), Renigunta (2), Kazipet (2) and Aurangabad (2), etc.
The one-meter wide escalator with a height of six meters will be installed at a cost of `30-35 lakh each at the stations. Apart from escalators, SCR will construct 14 lifts -- five at Vijayawada, two each at Tenali, Secunderabad, Aurangabad and Kacheguda and one at Chirala.
Already 21 lifts have been commissioned including three each at Tiurpati, Nellore and Guntakal, two each at Chirala, Kakinada Town, Bhimavaram, Gudur and Samalkot, one each at Guntur and Tenali.