Kailasagiri circular train tourists' hot spot in AP

Visakhapatnam, Nov 20: The circular train, launched in May 2007, has become hot favourite among the visitors to Kailasagiri.

The festival season ''Karthika Masam'' saw a heavy rush of tourists to travel in the hi-tech train claimed to be the first of its kind in the country running from point to point around a hilltop.

The narrow gauge train sports classy imported interiors and its promoters have given top priority to the safety of travellers by hiring the services of retired loco pilots to operate it.

Project Chief Executive Officer V G Prasad suggested creation of a fund for the benefit of investors. ''We have invested Rs 4.5 crore in the project and since it is a long-term investment, banks are not supporting further development of the train in the absence of quick returns,'' he said.

Once inside the train, tourists, especially those from West Bengal, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, were seen filming the picturesque surroundings.

Noted Hindi film actor like Dev Anand who had a ride in the train last Year was overawed by its beauty, Mr Prasad said.

He said one more coach was proposed to be attached to the train by January next and operate the second and third stations by then.

They are also planning landscaping on either sides of the track by planting ornamental plants.

Mr Prasad called for concerted efforts by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) to popularise the port and steel city as a place of national and international importance.

UNI