Scores of people travel from Vizianagaram district by the 08531/32 Palasa-Visakhapatnam-Palasa train and the 08503/04 Rayagada-Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger trains to Visakhapatnam city for work. These trains have been a safe and affordable means of transport for years. The recent train accident near Vizianagaram, however, has now put a question mark on safety.
S. Lakshmi, who shuttles between Alamanda and Visakhapatnam every day, and who was on board the Visakhapatnam-Palasa passenger train on October 29 when it collided with the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger, narrated her ordeal.
“The train was going at a slow speed. I heard a deafening sound and before I could realise what was happening, I was flung on to the floor and some other people fell on my right leg. I was in shock and pain. There were passengers, including children, lying all over the floor,” says Ms. Lakshmi, recounting her harrowing experience to this correspondent on Wednesday.
