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Indian Railways has extended the MGR Chennai Central Vijayawada Vande Bharat Express to Narsapur in Andhra Pradesh's West Godavari district, improving high-speed rail access to coastal towns. The service now runs on a branch line for the first time, with stops at Gudivada Junction and Bhimavaram Town. The extension shortens travel time between Narsapur and Chennai to about nine hours, offering a faster option than existing trains. Flagged off by Union Minister B. Srinivasa Varma, the move responds to long-standing passenger demand and supports students, professionals and medical travellers. The extension also complements station upgrades planned under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, strengthening regional rail connectivity.
Indian Railways has extended the MGR Chennai Central Vijayawada Vande Bharat Express to Narsapur in West Godavari district, expanding the reach of semi-high-speed rail services to coastal Andhra Pradesh. The move follows long-pending requests from local passengers and marks the first time a Vande Bharat train has been operated on a branch line of the Indian Railways network. Advertisement
The extended service now runs beyond Vijayawada, with scheduled halts at Gudivada Junction and Bhimavaram Town before terminating at Narsapur. Railway officials highlighted that branch lines typically handle lower traffic compared to main routes, making this extension a notable shift in how premium train services are being deployed to improve regional connectivity.
The extension was flagged off at Narsapur railway station by Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel B. Srinivasa Varma. He stated that the move reflects the government's focus on improving transport access in coastal districts and addressing connectivity gaps in smaller towns.
With the revised route, passengers travelling between Narsapur and Chennai can now complete the journey in about nine hours. This is significantly faster than the Circar Express, which has traditionally served the region but involves longer travel durations. Railway officials said the reduced travel time is expected to support frequent travellers, including students, professionals and patients seeking medical treatment in Chennai.
The extension also aligns with broader infrastructure improvements underway in the Vijayawada railway division. Stations such as Narsapur and Bhimavaram Town have been identified for upgrades under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, which focuses on improving passenger amenities, access and station infrastructure.
Officials added that Indian Railways is assessing demand along the extended route and will continue monitoring passenger response. Further operational adjustments, including additional stoppages or service refinements, may be considered based on usage patterns.
Source PTI
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