HON’BLE RAILWAY MINISTER REVIEWS CYCLONE ARNAB SITUATION AND RAILWAY PREPAREDNESS* Passenger Safety Accorded Highest Priority;Round-the-Clock Monitoring and Rapid Restoration Measures in Place

Visakhaptnam: Indian News Times: Hon’ble Union Minister for Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed the ground situation and operational preparedness with senior Railway officials today in the wake of Cyclone Arnab. The Minister took stock of safety arrangements, precautionary measures, restoration readiness and the steps being taken to ensure safe and smooth train operations.

In anticipation of Cyclone Arnab’s landfall, comprehensive safety protocols and rapid-response mechanisms have been put in place, particularly across the Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam Divisions. War rooms are functioning round the clock at Railway Board, Zonal and Divisional levels to facilitate real-time monitoring, effective coordination and prompt decision-making.

Approximately 600 km of railway track is under close surveillance, with special attention to vulnerable sections, bridges and other critical railway infrastructure. Relief wagons equipped with essential repair and restoration materials have been strategically stationed at Krishna Canal, Bitragunta, Mamidipudi, Visakhapatnam, Palasa and Ponduru.

Wind speeds and water levels are being monitored hourly, while senior Railway officials are stationed at critical locations to supervise precautionary and restoration measures. Close coordination is being maintained with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Management Authorities to ensure an integrated and effective emergency response.

Shri Sandeep Mathur, General Manager, South Coast Railway, is closely monitoring the evolving weather situation in view of Cyclone ‘Arnab’ by personally present in the War Room and has directed all railway officials to remain on high alert round the clock to ensure the safety of passengers and train operations.  

Based on the cyclone warning issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Visakhapatnam and due to the impact of the cyclone, South Coast Railway has reviewed the operational situation and decided to regulate train services across the affected sections.  

1. The train No. 06020 Narasapur- Tuticorin leaving Narasapur on 28.10.2028 is cancelled

2. The train No. 17291 Narasapur- Thiruvannamalai leaving Narasapur on 28.10.2026 is cancelled

3. The train No. 17292 Thiruvannamalai-Narasapur leaving Thiruvannamalai  on 29.10.2026 is cancelled

4. The train No. 06019 Thiruvannamalai- Narasapur special express leaving Thiruvannamalai on 26.10.2026 has been short terminated at Bhimavaram. 

5. The train No. 08584 SMV Bangalore- Visakhapatnam special express is rescheduled to leave at 16.40hrs of 28.10.2026 instead of its scheduled departure at SMV Bangalore at 15.50hrs of 28.10.2026 

6. The train No. 12864 SMV Bangalore- Howrah express is rescheduled to leave SMV Bangalore at 11.40hrs of 28.10.2026 instead of its scheduled departure at 10.40hrs of 28.10.2026.

7. The train No. 18519 Visakhapatnam – LTT express which has been rescheduled to leave Visakhapatnam at 04.00hrs of 28.10.2026 instead of its scheduled departure at 23.20hrs on 27.10.2026 has been diverted to run in diverted route via Duvvada- Eluru-Vijayawada instead of its route via Duvvada- Gudivada-Vijayawada. 

8. The train No. 17228 Guntur- Dhone express is rescheduled to leave at 14.30hrs on 28.10.2026 instead of its scheduled departure at 13.00hrs on 28.10.2026. 

9. The train No. 17226 Hubbali- Narasapur express will be regulated suitably in the Guntur Division for about 90 minutes. 

10. The train No. 22816 Ernakulam- Bilaspur Express is rescheduled leave Ernakulam at 11.30hrs on 28.10.2026 instead of its scheduled departure 08.40hrs on 28.10.2026

                   Y Balaji Kiran

      Chief Public Relations Officer

              South Coast Railway

                  Visakhapatnam