Ramavarappadu all-women staff railway station still awaits promised development

Ramavarappadu railway station superintendent M. Sailaja and different staff attending duties within the all girls station, in Vijayawada. In all, 12 girls staff have been appointed within the station.
| Photo Credit: G.N. Rao

The Ramavarappadu railway station, designated as an all-women staff station, positioned near Vijayawada Junction, lacks correct services inflicting extreme inconvenience to travelling public.

In 2018, the South Central Railway (SCR) declared it as an all-women staff railway station, and promised to develop it in all features. The officers then expressed the hope that it will cut back stress on the primary station at Vijayawada.

About 19 passenger trains halt on the station whereas greater than 40 specific and superfast trains go by way of with out halting.

A Station Superintendent, three Station Masters, six factors girls and two non-public girls staff run the station. A canteen is being operated by girls staff on Platform No.1.

“It is a matter of pride that the Ramavarappadu railway station is the only one designated as an all-women staff station in the Vijayawada division,” say railway officers.

“Ramavarappadu station has two platforms, and it is proposed to be developed into a satellite station. But nothing has been done so far. As there are no coach and digital display boards passengers are usually seen running on the platforms when trains halt,” a passenger complains.

“I waited in the Ramavarappadu railway station to board the Guntur-Narsapur train. There was neither a waiting hall nor coach display and LED boards in the station to give advance information on coach position,” says one other passenger, P. Maha Lakshmi.

Representations have been submitted to the railway authorities to halt specific trains, arrange a canteen on Platform No.2, and supply different services on the station however no steps have been taken on this route, laments a non-public worker, Cheruku Dhanraju, who travels from the station repeatedly.

“The station will be developed soon. There are plans to upgrade it as a satellite station and have a circulating area. We will provide it with all facilities. The works will begin shortly,” Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Sr. DCM) Vavilapalli Rambabu tells The Hindu.

Station Superintendent M. Sailaja says proposals have been despatched to larger officers for putting in CCTVs and for offering a halt for specific trains.