Vijayawada: The state may not get a new railway zone in the forthcoming rail budget. This became evident during a three hour-long meeting to review the railway proposals in view of the Budget that was attended by the MPs from the state and SCR general manager K. Srivatsava on Tuesday.

The meeting concluded without priority given to the discussions on issues like new railway zone and major projects. A majority of the MPs present raised local issues, seeking new trains and work on tracks.

According to sources, Vijayawada MP Kesineni Srinivas rooted for the introduction of a train from Vijayawada city by the name “Indrakeeladri Express”. He requested the railway department to establish satellite railway stations and development of Vijayawada station as model station.

MP K. Narayana said that the Machilipatnam station should be developed as a model station. He sought regular trains between Machilipatnam and Visakhapatnam.
MP Maganti Venkateswara Rao wanted the Coromandel Express to halt at Eluru.

MP Murali Mohan sought completion of track doubling works as early as possible, especially on the Bhadrachalam and Kovvuru line. MP J.C. Diwakar Reddy sought more trains for Rayalaseema from the state capital region.

MP C.M. Ramesh said that the railways has accepted the proposal to develop the Tirupati railway station on international standards and sought trains from Tirupati to Shirdi.
Amalapuram MP K. Ravindra Babu wanted a new rail corridor and new lines in Konaseema. MP Butta Renuka wanted the state government to allot land for a coach factory at Kurnool, saying that it was already allotted in the last budget.

Hindupur MP N. Kishtappa asked officials to improve rail connectivity between Bengaluru and Rayalaseema. Mr Srivatsava said that he would place all the demands before the railway board. Vijayawada divisional railway manager K. Pradeep Kumar was also present.