South Central Railway runs special train for stranded passengers stuck at Kazipet

Passenger Rescue

The South Central Railway operated a special train from Kazipet to Vijayawada for 948 stranded passengers after Cyclone Murasu disrupted rail traffic in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The storm caused the cancellation, diversion, or rescheduling of many train services for safety. Four long-distance trains bypassed Vijayawada and were diverted via Kazipet, leaving 1,226 travelers stranded at the station.

Rail Arrangements

The Secunderabad Division accommodated 278 of the stranded passengers on the Secunderabad-Guntur Golconda Express. Railway personnel arranged special catering services at Warangal, Ramagundam, and Jammikunta stations to provide food and refreshments during extended halts. Officials also gave an unscheduled stop at Kurnool City station for the Thiruvananthapuram-Hazrat Nizamuddin special train so travelers could buy food. Ticket-checking staff helped guide passengers and manage onward travel.

Safety And Pensions

General Manager Sanjay Kumar Srivastava praised the staff for their quick response. Railways increased night patrolling and deployed extra watchmen at vulnerable bridges to watch water levels as the cyclone continues to impact the area. Meanwhile, the railway zone also hosted a mega camp under the Digital Life Campaign 5.0 at Rail Nilayam in Secunderabad to help retired employees submit digital life certificates and address pension issues, with officials like Principal Chief Personnel Officer Siddarth Kati and Chief Personnel Officer S. Ramana Reddy attending.

Context

Cyclonic storms regularly disrupt rail and road transport across coastal and southern states in India during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Railway zones respond to such weather emergencies by rerouting trains, arranging special services, and deploying field staff to ensure passenger safety and continuous monitoring of vulnerable infrastructure like bridges.