Ratnachal Express cancelled for next three days

South Central Railway (SCR) will continue to keep the Viskhapatnam-Vijayawada Ratnachal Express train off the tracks for the next three days also.

The CSR did not run the Express train for the last two days and will continue to do so for the next three days in the wake of the setting four coaches of the train on fire by Kapu community protesters for reservation at Tuni station in East Godavari district on Sunday.

"Train No 12718 Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam Ratnachal Express scheduled to depart Vijayawada at 0605 hrs on 5th, 6th and 7th February, is cancelled, while train No 12717 Visakhapatnam-Vijayawada Ratnachal Express scheduled to depart Visakhapatnam at 1240 hrs on 5th, 6th & 7th February, is cancelled," a SCR release said.

The administration will restore the two trains from February 8 with the revised composition, the release said.

The new rake will consist of 17 coaches viz, two AC chair cars, eight second class sitting, four general second class, one pantry car and two second class luggage-cum-break van coaches, its said.

At least 15 policemen were injured when a stir by Kapu community members seeking reservation under Backward Class category turned violent on Sunday as the agitators went on rampage and set four coaches of Ratnachal Express on fire at Tuni station.