Rail route to Vizag in Vijayawada div cleared for traffic

The rail route to Visakhapatnam on Vijayawada-Rajahmundry-Visakhapatnam section of Vijayawada Division of South Central Railway, which had been affected due to cyclone Hudhud, was opened for rail traffic this afternoon.
The railway track on down line towards Visakhapatnam has been made fit for traffic and trains will be operated through this single line.
Train 18520 Lokamanya Tilak Terminus to Visakhapatnam smoothly passed through the restored line at 3.45 PM today.
The work to restore the second up line has also been taken up on war-footing and is likely to be cleared for traffic tomorrow, according to SCR.
Breaches on track occurred at several locations between Elamanchili-Narsingapalli-Bayyavaram stations on this route due to heavy rains in the aftermath of Cyclone Hudhud.

The SCR administration swung into action and could commence rail traffic on this key route within 32 hours of damages occurring at several spots, an SCR release said here.

SCR General Manager P K Srivastava, who rushed to the affected section yesterday, was camping at the work spot. He closely monitored the progress of rescue/restoration works and guided the activities for expeditious completion, it said.
As many as 10 engineering track material trains with 180 loaded wagons consisting of sand bags, boulders, quarry dust, girders and cribs and around 600 labour force have been involved in the massive exercise.
Meanwhile, in view of cancellation of some trains due to damage on railway track in Vijayawada division following heavy rains after cyclone Hudhud, the SCR will run two special trains for the stranded passengers this evening.

The Kakinada Town-Hyderabad Special train (07127) will depart Kakinada Town at 7.15 PM today while from Samlakot onwards this train will run on the path and timings of Godavari Express (train no 12727).
Similarly, Rajahmundry-Tirupati Special train (07488) is scheduled to depart Rajahmundry at 5.20 PM today with the timings, halts and composition of Visakhapatnam-Tirupati Tirumala Express (train no. 17488), the SCR said.