Secunderabad – October 6, 2024: Shri G. Kishan Reddy, the Union Minister of Coal and Mines, inaugurated a new train service. He launched the Secunderabad – Vasco-Da-Gama Bi-Weekly Express at Secunderabad Railway Station. The event was graced by Shri M. Anil Kumar Yadav, Rajya Sabha MP, and senior railway officials.
New Rail Connectivity for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
The new bi-weekly train has been launched to fulfill the long-standing demand for a direct train from Telangana to Goa. Minister G. Kishan Reddy stated that this service will operate twice a week. It will provide direct connectivity to Goa. The service will also connect major cities in Karnataka. He emphasized the importance of the train for residents of Telangana. This includes cities like Hyderabad, Shadnagar, and Mahbubnagar. The train is also important for travelers from Andhra Pradesh.
Apart from Goa, the train will also serve key cities in Karnataka such as Ballari, Hospet, and Hubballi. The service aims to improve travel options for people seeking a safer and more comfortable journey compared to road travel.
Railway Station Upgrades in Telangana
During the flag-off event, Minister Reddy highlighted several ongoing railway infrastructure projects in Telangana. Secunderabad Railway Station is currently undergoing major redevelopment at an estimated cost of ₹700 crore. The project is set to be completed by the end of 2025. This station ranks second only to New Delhi Railway Station in terms of handling Vande Bharat Express services.
He also mentioned that development work at Cherlapalli Railway Terminal is nearing completion. Other major stations in Hyderabad and Kacheguda will soon see significant upgrades to their facilities.
Improved Travel Safety and Comfort
Shri M. Anil Kumar Yadav, Rajya Sabha MP, praised the introduction of the new train service. He noted that it offers a safer option for people from Telangana. This service is more comfortable compared to road travel when traveling to Goa. He expressed appreciation for the efforts of the railway authorities in making this possible.
Regular Services and Timings
Starting October 9, 2024, Train No. 17039 will run from Secunderabad to Vasco-Da-Gama every Wednesday and Friday. The return service, Train No. 17040, will depart from Vasco-Da-Gama every Thursday and Saturday, starting from October 10, 2024.
This new train service marks a significant improvement in connectivity between Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, and Karnataka. It offers a reliable and safe travel option for passengers.
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