Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had proposed a new, wider FOB for better connectivity and safety of people during his visit to the station on December 9, 2023 to lay the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Simhachalam railway station. File | Image credit: PTI

A new 115 m long and 3 m wide footbridge has been approved for Simhachalam railway station at an estimated cost of Rs 1,269,000. The bridge will replace the decades-old bridge at the railway station, which lies within the limits of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC).

The Waltair Division had initiated the proposal for a new, wider FOB to alleviate the problems of the residents of various colonies on the other side of the railway tracks who had to cross seven tracks.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, during his visit to the station on December 9, 2023, to lay the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Simhachalam railway station, had also proposed a new, wider FOB to ensure better connectivity and safety of the people living in the various settlements across the tracks.

Parmeshwar Funkwal, General Manager, East Coast Railway (ECoR), also inspected the Simhachalam railway station on August 8 and approved the new FOB with an investment of Rs 12.69 crore.

Simhachalam railway station is being redeveloped with a new station building, additional parking and passenger facilities.

Railway Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Prasad was instrumental in getting the project approved, which, according to K. Saandeep, Senior Commercial Officer, is expected to benefit residents across the tracks.