Special trains, buses for voters

Hyderabad: As voters head to their home constituencies to cast their votes, train and bus services are overcrowded and special services have been laid on. Many voters still continue to vote from their constituencies pre bifurcation.    

The South Central Railways (SCR) has arranged for around 50 special trains heading towards the Andhra region, while the Road Transport Corporation has arranged for around 1000 special buses to ply between April 9 and 15. Usually, 15 trains ply on the Rajahmundry route daily; now, ten more will be added.

Special trains will run from Secunderabad to Kakinada, Vijayawada, Narsapur, Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam and other areas in Andhra Pradesh from April 9 to 15. Extra buses have been arranged to other states, too, including Maharash-tra, which votes in the first phase of the elections.

This has only added to the already existing summer rush. Most of the special trains are given priority over Jansadharan special trains, which have only general coaches, and can carry more passengers.

AC and super luxury bus services have been fully booked a month ago and there is a waiting list. To cope with the rush, TSRTC has diverted and arranged for around 1000 additional services from various depots, while APSRTC will also send buses to pick up people from important locations.

RTC officials said that they are expecting a heavy rush in areas of Kukatpally, BHEL, Lingampalli, and ECIL where Andhraites have settled. As many voters are now registered in the places where they have settled, the officials say the crowds are much reduced.