Train connectivity a key issue in Elamanchili

“We have also made several representations to the Ministry of Railways. We hope that the newly elected public representatives will focus on our demand,” he says.

According to Mr. Satyanarayana, the eight key trains are Mahabubnagar Express, Ratnachal Express, Prasanthi Express, Konark Express, Chennai Express, A.P. Express and Garibrath.

“The Railways responds to the passenger issues under two situations. One is technical feasibility and other is political pressure,” an official told The Hindu on Sunday.

“Technically, for a train to halt, the station in question should have at least 200 tickets per day, with passengers opting to travel for more than 500 km. Secondly, if the local politicians work sincerely, the Railways may consider the demand. The announcement of new railway zone with Visakhapatnam as headquarters is a classic example,” he says.

When contacted, incumbent YSRCP legislator from Elamanchili Uppalapati Venkata Ramanamurthy Raju says, “We have so far made many representations to the Railways through our Anakapalli Member of Parliament. The Railways should take consider them and do justice.”

Mr. Raju is now pitted against Sundarapu Vijay Kumar of the TDPBJPJSP alliance.

In the 2019 elections, Mr. Raju won by a margin of 71,934 votes against Panchakarla Ramesh Babu of the TDP, who polled 67,788 votes. Mr. Vijay Kumar, who was in the fray on JSP ticket, could garner 19,774 votes.

There are a total of 2,05,120 electors in the constituency. Of them, 99,760 are male, 1,05,351 female, and nine thirdgender. In addition, there are 994 service voters and 10 NRI voters.

Pawan’s rally cancelled

Meanwhile, JSP president Pawan Kalyan’s campaign in Elamanchili scheduled for April 8 (Monday) has been cancelled. Mr. Pawan Kalyan addressed a public meeting in Anakapalli on April 7 evening in support of BJP Lok Sabha candidate C.M. Ramesh. He is scheduled to visit Pithapuram, where he is in the fray, to participate in the Ugadi celebrations on April 9.