PRP demands provision of more facilities at the Waltair Railway Division

Praja Rajyam activists stopping the Visakhapatnam-Durg Passenger near the Rammurthy Panthulupeta railway level-crossing in the city demanding a separate zone on 30 Jan 2009

January 30th 2009 – VISAKHAPATNAM: More than 70 workers of Praja Rajyam Party including its district unit convener, Ganta Srinivas Rao and senior leaders, M. Srinivasa Rao and V. Chandra Kanthwere arrested on Thursday while organising ‘rail roko’ at Rammurthypeta demanding a fair deal to the Waltair Railway Division.

It was part of PRP’s struggle for getting a better deal for the Visakhapatnam Railway Division. The workers squatted on the track for more than 30 minutes and were raising slogans in support of their demands when police arrested them. Later they were released on bail. The PRP had already submitted a memorandum to the Divisional Railway Manager, D. Kamilla. The main demand was formation of a separate zone with Visakhapatnam as headquarters. As an alternative, it should be tagged to the South Central Railway, Mr. Ganta Srinivasa Rao said, asserting that at present it was subjected to step-motherly treatment in all aspects. Garib Rath which had become very popular should be made a daily train. In view of the ever increasing traffic, additional trains should be introduced for passengers of Hyderabad and Tirupathi which is a holy place attracting millions of pligirms. There was also the need to introduce a new train to the pilgrim centre Varanasi, he said. In view of the growing importance of the city, the quota of berths at Visakhapatnam should also be increased.

Office opened
Praja Rajyam Party founder president Chiranjeevi’s brother Nagendra Babu on Thursday denied the allegations that there was no social justice in the party as evidenced by the desertions of some on the same issue.

He interacted with mediapersons after inaugurating the party’s new office in the MVP colony.