Vande Bharat Express extends service to Narsapur

Railway connectivity in West Godavari district has received a major boost with the extension of the Vande Bharat Express. Previously running only up to Vijayawada, the popular Chennai-Vijayawada Vande Bharat service now reaches Narsapur, fulfilling a long-standing demand of residents in the coastal region. Known for its modern amenities and faster travel, the Vande Bharat Express is now set to make a significant impact in West Godavari.

Railway officials announced that the Chennai Central-Vijayawada Vande Bharat Express (Train Nos. 20677/20678) will be extended to Narsapur starting Monday. The inauguration ceremony at Narsapur Railway Station was flagged off by B. Srinivas Varma, Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel.

The train, decorated with flowers and balloons, arrived from Chennai at 2:20 PM, and the official launch took place at 2:45 PM with Ministers Srinivas Varma and Nimmala Rama Naidu, Deputy Speaker Raghurama Krishna Raju, and local representatives in attendance. The Union Minister also traveled on the train during the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Srinivas Varma said, “This is the first Vande Bharat Express to run on a branch line (a secondary railway line that diverges from a main line to connect smaller towns, villages, or less busy areas). Bringing this service to a station like Narsapur is a matter of pride and reflects the central government’s commitment to strengthening railway connectivity.”

The extended service will stop at Gudivada Junction and Bhimavaram Town before reaching Narsapur. Officials noted that the train will serve as an alternative to the current express service, reducing Chennai travel time by nearly nine hours. It is expected to be highly beneficial for passengers traveling for business, education, or medical purposes.

Looking ahead, the minister announced plans to start direct train services from Narsapur to Varanasi and to introduce additional trains at Gudivada. Efforts are also underway to extend the Bengaluru-Vijayawada Vande Bharat Express to Narsapur and to include a stop at Tadepalligudem for the Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express.

Furthermore, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Machilipatnam-Narsapur railway line is ready, and work on this line is expected to start soon. The central government will also support introducing train services from Machilipatnam to Nagapattinam, keeping passenger needs in focus.

The minister highlighted ongoing development of railway infrastructure, including road underpasses, overbridges, and additional stops for express trains. These initiatives are expected to improve transport facilities in West Godavari district and provide a boost to the local economy.