East Coast Railways halt train services in wake of Andhra agitation

Bhubaneswar: East Coast Railways today halted operations of four express trains and all local/passenger trains originating and terminating at Visakhapatnam in the wake of agitation in Andhra Pradesh, official sources said. Power crisis in Andhra Pradesh is a factor behind the cancellation of the trains, Railway sources said. [caption id=“attachment_1158235” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. AFP[/caption] The express trains cancelled on Tuesday were 17015 Up Bhubaneswar-Secunderabad Visakha Express, 12898 Up Bhubaneswar-Puducherry Weekly Express, 18411 Up Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam Intercity Express and 18412 down Visakhapatnam-Bhubaneswar Intercity Express. However, for the comfortable journey of the train passengers stranded enroute, East Coast Railway has arranged diesel locomotives for movement of long distance trains. Apart from this, food and drinking water provision has been made at different stations for stranded passengers, a Railway release said. ECoR has also opened an emergency control room at Visakhapatnam for smooth movement of trains. Staff has been deputed to look after the proper arrangement of food and drinking water at various stations and in trains. PTI