SAMATA EXPRESS SERVICES CANCELLED ON SELECT DATES IN APRIL Due to ongoing infrastructure work at Gondia station under the Nagpur division of South East Central Railway, involving dismantling of the washable apron and conversion of Line No. 5 into a ballasted track, certain services of the Samata Express have been cancelled. Train No. 12807 Visakhapatnam-Hazrat Nizamuddin Samata Express departing from Visakhapatnam will remain cancelled on April 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, and 23, 2026. Similarly, in the return direction, Train No. 12808 Hazrat Nizamuddin-Visakhapatnam Samata Express departing from Hazrat Nizamuddin will be cancelled on April 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, and 25, 2026. Passengers are advised to take note of these changes and plan their journeys accordingly. The inconvenience caused due to these cancellations is sincerely regretted.

INDIAN RAILWAYS ANNOUNCES SPECIAL TRAINS TO MANAGE SUMMER RUSH Visakhapatnam-Shalimar Weekly Special (08508/08507) The Visakhapatnam-Shalimar weekly special will depart from Visakhapatnam every Tuesday at 11:20 hrs from April 7 to June 30, 2026, reaching Shalimar at 03:00 hrs the following day. The return service will leave Shalimar every Wednesday at 05:00 hrs from April 8 to July 1, 2026, arriving in Visakhapatnam at 20:50 hrs. The train will halt at key stations including Simhachalam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam Road, Brahmapur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Bhadrak, Kharagpur, and Santragachi. It will consist of AC, sleeper, general, and luggage-cum-divyangjan coaches. Sambalpur-Erode Weekly Special (08311/08312) Running between April 1 and May 29, 2026, this weekly service will depart Sambalpur on Wednesdays and Erode on Fridays, completing a total of nine trips in each direction. The train will pass through major stations such as Vizianagaram, Vijayawada, Nellore, Katpadi, Salem, and others. The composition includes AC, sleeper, general, pantry, and luggage coaches. Bhubaneswar-Yesvantpur Weekly Special (02811/02812) This service will operate from April 4 to June 29, 2026, with departures from Bhubaneswar on Saturdays and from Yesvantpur on Mondays, totaling 13 trips in each direction. Key stoppages include Khurda Road, Vizianagaram, Vijayawada, Guntur, Nandyal, Dharmavaram, and Yelahanka. The train will mainly consist of 3-tier AC coaches along with generator cars. Yesvantpur-Katihar Weekly Special (06571/06572) Operating from April 7 to July 17, 2026, this weekly train will run 15 trips in each direction. It will depart Yesvantpur on Tuesdays and Katihar on Fridays. The route covers major stations such as Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Kharagpur, Malda Town, and others. The train will include AC, sleeper, general, and luggage coaches. SMV Bengaluru-Malda Town Special (06565/06566) To further ease passenger load, a special service between SMV Bengaluru and Malda Town will run from April to July 2026. The train will depart Bengaluru on Sundays and Malda Town on Wednesdays. Important stoppages include Duvvada, Vizianagaram, Brahmapur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Bhadrak. The train will have a mix of AC, sleeper, and general coaches.

REFRESHER TRAINING ON BOILER OPERATIONS HELD AT VISAKHAPATNAM STEEL PLANT A one-day refresher training programme for Boiler Operation Engineers was successfully conducted at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL). The event was organized by the Boiler Department, Visakhapatnam Region, Government of Andhra Pradesh. The programme was inaugurated by Shri K. Veerabhadra Rao, Deputy Chief Inspector of Boilers, Visakhapatnam Region, along with Dr. Salim G. Purushothaman, Director (Operations), RINL. Other dignitaries present included Shri Prasad, Inspector of Boilers, Shri Subhasis Sen Gupta, CGM (Works) In-Charge, and Shri Anindya Ghosh, CGM (Services). Around 100 officers from various power plants across Andhra Pradesh, including RINL, participated in the training. The programme provided a valuable platform for enhancing technical expertise and exchanging best practices in boiler operations. Speakers highlighted the importance of adhering to safety standards and ensuring efficient boiler performance. Participants were encouraged to implement the knowledge gained to improve operational efficiency, minimize risks, and enhance reliability. The sessions covered important topics such as efficient boiler operations, water chemistry management, prevention of boiler explosions, and piping design. Experts shared insights on real-world challenges, safety measures, and recent advancements in the sector. The interactive sessions saw active participation, enabling attendees to deepen their understanding of maintenance practices, safety compliance, and operational efficiency. The programme concluded on a positive note, emphasizing the need for continuous learning and skill development in critical industrial operations.

TRAIN DIVERSIONS AND TEMPORARY COACH AUGMENTATION ANNOUNCED DUE TO VIJAYAWADA YARD WORKS Railway authorities have announced that due to safety-related apron work at Platform No. 04 in Vijayawada yard, several train services will be affected over a 45 day period from April 17 to May 31, 2026. During this time, Train No. 12740 Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Garib Rath Express and Train No. 12739 Visakhapatnam-Secunderabad Garib Rath Express will operate on a diverted route via Rayanapadu, Vijayawada Bypass Cabin, Vijayawada North Cabin, and Gunadala stations. As a result, stoppage at Vijayawada station will be temporarily suspended for these services. Passengers are advised to take note of these changes and plan their travel accordingly. In addition, to accommodate increased passenger demand, Indian Railways will temporarily add one Sleeper Class coach to the following trains: Train No. 20807 Visakhapatnam–Amritsar Hirakud Express on March 27, 2026 Train No. 20808 Amritsar–Visakhapatnam Hirakud Express on March 29, 2026 Passengers are encouraged to utilize these additional facilities.