Hans News Service Bhimavaram

UnionMinister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma flagged off the regular weekly Narsapur-Bengaluru (SMVB) Express service at Palakollu Railway Station on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, he said the train will depart from Narsapur every Friday at 3.50 pm and reach Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal, Bengaluru, at 9.45 am on Saturday. On the return journey, it will leave Bengaluru every Saturday at 11 am and arrive in Narsapur at 5.50 am on Sunday. Varma said the train would halt at Palakollu, Veeravasaram, Bhimavaram, Akividu, Kaikaluru, Gudivada, Vijayawada, Tenali, Bapatla, Chirala, Ongole, Kavali, Nellore, Gudur and Renigunta, improving rail connectivity for West Godavari district and other regions along the route. He said conversion into a regular express service would reduce ticket fares by nearly 30 per cent while ensuring better punctuality and operational efficiency. He also said railway goods sheds were under construction at Palakollu, Bhimavaram and Akividu stations at a cost of Rs 20 crore. An escalator would also be installed at Palakollu Railway Station, he added.