Train services in flood-hit Andhra to be restored in a week

Union Minister of State for Railways H K Muniyappa inspected the damaged railway tracks and told reporters that train services in all flood-affected areas would return to normal Oct 15 as the work to repair the damaged tracks was in full swing.

Train services in the flood-hit areas of Andhra Pradesh will be restored from Oct 15, Union Minister of State for Railways H K Muniyappa said on Thursday.

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The minister inspected damaged railway tracks in Kurnool, the worst-hit district. He said the railway track between Kurnool and Bangalore would be restored in a week.

Muniyappa told reporters that train services in all flood-affected areas would return to normal Oct 15 as the work to repair the damaged tracks was in full swing.

The minister said the railways suffered a loss of Rs.250 million due to the floods in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. "The magnitude of the floods and the losses incurred by the railways are unprecedented in the last 50 years," he said.

Muniyappa said the tracks were flooded at several places and the estimated cost of the restoration is Rs.100 million. "We are making all efforts to restore services on the Guntakal-Raichur-Wadi section as early as possible," he said.

The South Central Railway (SCR) fully cancelled 155 services, partially cancelled 104 services and diverted 112 trains Oct 2, affecting 480,000 passengers.