Sribharat seeks more Vande Bharat Sleeper trains from Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam MP Mathukumilli Sribharat has urged Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to introduce new Vande Bharat Sleeper trains from Visakhapatnam to Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Tirupati, Chennai, and Vijayawada, citing the tremendous demand for trains on these routes.

Mr. Sribharat met the Railway Minister at the Parliament office on Tuesday (February 10, 2026) and discussed several crucial railway development issues related to Visakhapatnam and surrounding regions.

The MP drew the attention of the Railway Minister on the acute shortage of trains from Visakhapatnam to these cities. He sought halts for select trains at Kothavalasa Railway Station, including Prasanthi Superfast Express (18463/18464), Rayagada Express (17243/17244) and Korba–Visakhapatnam Express (18517/18518). He also sought halts for Vande Bharat Express trains (20833/20834 and 20707/20708) at Duvvada Railway Station for the convenience of people living in the industrial belt of Visakhapatnam city and nearby areas.

Mr. Sribharat sought early opening of the temporary office of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) in Visakhapatnam city to facilitate smooth functioning during the initial phase of the zone. The redevelopment of Visakhapatnam railway station should be expedited to meet the growing rush at the station. The other issues raised include: increase in the emergency quota in trains passing through Visakhapatnam junction and construction of multiple Railway Under Bridges (RUBs) and Railway Over Bridges (ROBs) in the Gajuwaka Assembly constituency to reduce traffic congestion and enhance public safety.

The Railway Minister assured him that all the issues raised would be examined sympathetically, keeping in mind Visakhapatnam’s growing importance and the welfare of railway passengers, according to a statement released on Tuesday.