Railways singing different tunes to justify bypassing of Visakhapatnam Junction by long-distance trains

After dodging the issue of re-routing the long-distance trains that are bypassing Visakhapatnam Junction for a decade, first on the pretext of being a “bulb line” and later by saying that “engine reversal time” is being effectively used, the railway officials now say that “bypassing is a better option!” On September 9, 2024, the East Coast Railway authorities at the headquarters in Bhubaneswar had written to the Principal Executive Director, Railway Board, putting forth a proposal for re-routing 12 pairs of express trains via Kottavalasa - Simhachalam North - Duvvada with additional stoppages at Duvvada and Pendurti stations. Reasons cited The advantages cited for bypassing Visakhapatnam Junction are as follows: power reversal of trains can be avoided, Visakhapatnam Yard will be decongested and yard shunting avoided, vacant path can be utilised for planning new originating / terminating trains from Visakhapatnam, and vacant path and vacant platforms in Visakhapatnam can be utilised for the proposed new TOD special trains. There are no local trains from Duvvada, Kottavalasa and Pendurti to Visakhapatnam main station,” argue rail users. Further, these three satellite stations of Visakhapatnam Junction do not have safe public transport facilities for the passengers arriving by late night trains, they assert.