Rail users press for more stoppages at Malkajgiri, Bolarum stations

Demands for additional express train stoppages and extension of select services to improve suburban rail connectivity were raised at the Hyderabad Division Railway Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC) meeting held here on Friday.

DRUCC member P. Bharadwaj requested that all express trains be given stoppages at Malkajgiri station. He also proposed the extension of Rayalaseema Express up to Basar, Tirupati-Karimnagar Express to Nizamabad, and Tungabhadra Express up to Cherlapalli via Malkajgiri on one end and Dhone on the other.

In addition, he sought stoppages for several trains at Bolarum station, including the Nagavali Express, Visakhapatnam-Nanded Express, and Narasapur-Nagarsol Express. Highlighting infrastructure concerns, he noted that Bolarum station urgently requires lifts and platform extensions to improve passenger convenience.

Earlier, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Santosh Kumar Verma, along with Additional DRM D.S. and other officials, reviewed development works, passenger amenities, and ongoing station redevelopment projects carried out over the past two months. Out of 18 nominated members, about 10 attended the meeting, and the DRM assured that the suggestions would be examined.

Meanwhile, the Railways announced the introduction of a new weekly express service (Train No. 17077/17078) between Cherlapalli and Tiruchchirappalli. The train will depart Cherlapalli at 5:20 p.m. starting July 7 and reach its destination at 6:45 p.m. the next day. On the return journey, it will leave Tiruchchirappalli at 9:30 p.m. and arrive in Cherlapalli at 9:30 p.m., said a press release.