A local representative has formally requested an increase in Vande Bharat Sleeper train services originating from Visakhapatnam. The appeal highlights perceived strong passenger demand for routes connecting Visakhapatnam to other major South Indian cities. The Railway Minister has offered a non-committal assurance that these proposals will be given due consideration.
The core of the request centers on improving rail connectivity and infrastructure in and around Visakhapatnam. The Member of Parliament also emphasized the need to expedite the operationalization of a temporary South Coast Railway (SCoR) office within the city and to accelerate the redevelopment of Visakhapatnam railway station. Further points raised include an increase in the emergency quota for trains passing through Visakhapatnam and the construction of additional road overpasses and underpasses in the Gajuwaka Assembly constituency to improve traffic flow and safety.
Demand for Enhanced Rail Connectivity
Visakhapatnam Member of Parliament, Mathukumilli Sribharat, has directly petitioned the Union Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, to introduce more Vande Bharat Sleeper trains. The proposed new services would link Visakhapatnam to Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Tirupati, Chennai, and Vijayawada. The MP’s argument is predicated on the existence of significant passenger interest in these specific routes.
Read More: New Program Helps Fishermen in Andhra Pradesh
The Railway Minister’s response, as relayed in a statement, indicated that "all the issues raised would be examined sympathetically." This assurance was coupled with an acknowledgement of Visakhapatnam's growing significance and a commitment to passenger welfare.
Beyond train services, the MP also highlighted several infrastructure-related concerns:
Operationalization of SCoR Office: A plea was made for the swift establishment of the temporary South Coast Railway (SCoR) office within Visakhapatnam city. This is seen as crucial for efficient operations during the initial stages of the new railway zone.
Railway Station Redevelopment: The urgent need to speed up the redevelopment of Visakhapatnam railway station was stressed, aiming to manage the increasing passenger volume.
Emergency Quota: An increase in the emergency quota for trains passing through Visakhapatnam junction was requested.
Road Over/Under Bridges: The construction of multiple Railway Under Bridges (RUBs) and Railway Over Bridges (ROBs) in the Gajuwaka Assembly constituency was proposed to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance public safety.
Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Project Status
The Vande Bharat Sleeper variant represents a new initiative within India's broader railway modernization plans. These trains are specifically designed for overnight journeys, offering a more comfortable alternative to conventional sleeper coaches.
Read More: YSRCP Says Naidu and Pawan Kalyan Using Laddu Issue to Distract
Development and Testing: At least one Vande Bharat Sleeper train has reportedly completed its trials and testing and is currently at the Shakur Basti Coaching Depot in Delhi.
Launch Considerations: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has indicated that Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will only be launched after a second train is ready. This suggests a phased rollout aimed at ensuring operational readiness and service regularity.
Projected Rollout: While specific launch dates remain unconfirmed, reports suggest that up to 12 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains could be introduced in 2026, potentially covering distances between 1000-1500 kilometers.
Proposed Routes and Existing Network
The specific routes requested by MP Sribharat are:
Visakhapatnam – Hyderabad
Visakhapatnam – Bengaluru
Visakhapatnam – Tirupati
Visakhapatnam – Chennai
Visakhapatnam – Vijayawada
These align with some routes that have been listed as expected or proposed Vande Bharat Express services in various reports. For example, "Vijayawada-Bangaluru Vande Bharat Express" and "Visakhapatnam-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express" appear on lists of upcoming services. Similarly, Hyderabad-Pune and Bengaluru-Tirupati are also mentioned in broader lists of Vande Bharat routes.
Read More: Ambati Rambabu Briefly Out of Jail for Court Case
| Proposed Route | Status / Mentioned in Data |
|---|---|
| Visakhapatnam – Hyderabad | Requested by MP; Hyderabad-Pune and Pune-Hyderabad mentioned as existing/upcoming routes. |
| Visakhapatnam – Bengaluru | Requested by MP; Vijayawada-Bengaluru and Bengaluru-Vijayawada mentioned as upcoming. |
| Visakhapatnam – Tirupati | Requested by MP; Visakhapatnam-Tirupati mentioned as an upcoming route. |
| Visakhapatnam – Chennai | Requested by MP; Tirupati-Chennai-Pondicherry mentioned as an upcoming route. |
| Visakhapatnam – Vijayawada | Requested by MP; Vijayawada-Bengaluru mentioned as an upcoming route. |
Infrastructure Development in Visakhapatnam
The request for new trains is accompanied by a broader agenda for railway infrastructure development in Visakhapatnam.
South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone: The establishment of the SCoR zone with its temporary office in Visakhapatnam is a key point. This initiative is part of a larger administrative restructuring of Indian Railways.
Station Redevelopment: The redevelopment of Visakhapatnam railway station is presented as a necessary step to accommodate future passenger growth and improve amenities. This aligns with broader national programs like the "Amrit Bharat station redevelopment scheme" which aims to modernize numerous stations across the country.
Local Traffic Solutions: The specific request for RUBs and ROBs in Gajuwaka points to a focus on addressing localized traffic issues that impact both public convenience and safety.
Expert Analysis and Observations
The Vande Bharat Sleeper project signifies a strategic move by Indian Railways to enhance long-distance, overnight travel. By introducing sleeper variants, the railway network aims to offer a blend of speed, comfort, and modern amenities, targeting passengers who currently opt for conventional overnight express trains.
"The introduction of Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains marks a significant leap in India’s railway modernization journey." - The Current India
The timeline for the full implementation of Vande Bharat Sleeper services appears contingent on the readiness of multiple train sets. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's comments suggest a deliberate approach, ensuring sufficient capacity and operational stability before widespread deployment.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The Member of Parliament from Visakhapatnam has presented a comprehensive set of demands aimed at upgrading rail services and infrastructure for the region. The core requests focus on expanding the Vande Bharat Sleeper network from Visakhapatnam to key South Indian destinations, alongside critical infrastructure improvements like the operationalization of the SCoR office, station redevelopment, and enhanced local connectivity.
The Railway Minister has provided a preliminary assurance of sympathetic consideration. The actual implementation of these proposals will depend on:
Availability of Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Sets: The production and readiness of sufficient trains, as indicated by the minister, is a primary factor.
Route Planning and Viability: Detailed studies on demand, operational feasibility, and financial viability for the proposed routes will be necessary.
Infrastructure Development Pace: The progress on station redevelopment and the construction of road overpasses/underpasses will also influence the overall improvement in passenger experience.
Further official announcements from the Ministry of Railways are anticipated regarding the specific timelines and operational plans for these proposed services and infrastructure projects.
Sources
The Hindu: Article discussing MP Sribharat's request for Vande Bharat Sleeper trains and other railway development projects in Visakhapatnam.
The Current India: Article detailing Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, including routes, ticket prices, and coach design, marking a step in railway modernization.
Link: https://www.thecurrentindia.com/govt/vande-bharat-sleeper-trains-in-india/
Trak.in: Report indicating that 12 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are slated for launch in 2026, covering long distances.
The Financial Express: Report quoting Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stating that Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will launch only after a second train is ready.
UNI India: A brief report on MP Sribharat meeting the Railway Minister and seeking major rail projects for Visakhapatnam. (Content extraction was limited for this source).
