HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Vijayawada is the single largest junction on Indian Railways strategically located between the Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Guntur and Secunderabad Divisions. It is the pivotal point of the Golden Quadrilateral connecting South to the North and East of India.

LEGEND: Vijayawada is situated on the Northern bank of River . Legend has it that ’s Penance for a boon, Pasupathasthra from Lord was answered atop Kiladri. Hence, the town below it, has come to be called as Vijayawada. The temple of the Goddess of Power Kanaka , the presiding of Vijayawada is on the Indra kiladri Hill.

AT NATIONAL LEVEL: Vijayawada has a political background. Mahatma Gandhiji visited Vijayawada, twice on 31.03.1921 and on 09.04.1929. Shri Pingali Venkaiah, who hailed from Vijayawada, designed our National Flag.

RAILWAY HISTORY: Bezwada Railway Station was founded with a small shed in the beginning. The Old Station building was constructed with Mangalore tiles by 1928. The new Station building was opened to the public on 19.01.1979. The Route Relay Interlocking Cabin at Vijayawada was opened on 24.01.1976.

EVOLUTION OF VIJAYAWADA DIVISION: The Madras and Southern Mahratta (MSM) Railway was opened to public on 01.07.1856 with headquarters at Madras. The Bezwada District was part of MSM Railway, the other Districts being Rayapuram and Podanur. The Regional Transportation Superintendent (RTS) was incharge of the MSM Railway with Rayapuram as headquarters and the District transportation Superintendent (DTS) was incharge of the Bezwada District.

The MSM Railway was amalgamated with Southern Railway in 1951. The Bezwada District spread from Tondiyarpet to Waltair (both exclusive) and West Block Cabin of Vijayawada Station on Kazipet side.

IMPORTANT LANDMARKS: Construction of Railway Bridge on River Krishna (for M.G.) 17.03.1893 Construction of Railway Bridge on River Krishna (for B.G.) 15.07.1897 Rail-route, - Waltair 15.07.1893 Track from Bezwada – Kovvur 02.12.1893 Bridge on the River Pennar 1898 Rail-route from Bezwada to Madras 1899 Rail bridge on river Godavari 16.08.1900 Train Service from Madras to Bezwada to Howrah 16.08.1900 M.G track from Bezwada to Machilipatam 1907 Train service from Bezwada to Delhi 1930 Bezwada District became part of Southern Railway 14.04.1951

Bezwada Division was created as part of Southern Railway 16.05.1956 Headed by Divisional Superintendent It became part of South Central Railway 02.10.1966 MG trains were run from East Coast to West Coast from Machilipatam Port to Marmagoa Harbour, prior to 1961 MG Section of Bezwada-Division extended from Tadepalli to Guntakal (excluding) and from Guntur to Macherla, 16.06.1977 Vijayawada-Division has become Unigauge with conversion of Entire MG track into BG track 12.02.1994 Rail-Cum-Road Bridge on river Godavari (2.984-KM) 16.08.1974 New Godavari Bridge 12.03.1997 (Max. Span of 97.552 M for any PSC Railway Bridge)

Electrification on BZA Division: Electrification Project started ( It was completed in 25-Yrs.) 1972 First Section between Vijayawada – Chirala- Gudur energized 17.03.1980 Vijayawada-Rajahmundry-Duvvada Section was energized 12.03.1997

DISTRTICTS COVERED BY PRESENT VIJAYAWADA DIVISION: Vijayawada-Division spreads over seven Revenue Districts, viz, Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, West Godavari, East Godavari and Visakhapatnam of

PLACES OF TOURIST ATTRACTION: VIJAYAWADA Goddess Power on Indra Kiladri Hill. MANGALAGIRI Shri NARASIMHA SWAMI TEMPLE (15-KMs from Vijayawada) DWARAKA SHRI VENKATESWARA SWAMI TEMPLE (120-KMs from Vijayawada) ANNAVARAM Shri SATYANARAYANASWAMI TEMPLE (236-KMs from Vijayawada 90 km from Rajahmundry)

PANCHARAMAMS. All the Five Saivaramams are in Andhra Pradesh. They are:

(1) Kshiraramam At Palakollu (2) Somaramam At Bhimavaram (3) Bhimaramam At Samalkot (4) Near Rajahmundry (5) Amaramam At Amaravathi (Near Guntur)

KONDAPALLI Famous for its TOYS made of Poniki light Wood (20-KMs from Vijayawada) Famous for its KUCHIPUDI Classical Dance Style (60-KMs from Vijayawada) MACHILIPATNAM Known for its KALANKARI PRINT. (60-KMs from Vijayawada) NARASAPUR ANTARVEDI (Situated on the bank of VASISTA GODAVARI) (15-KMs from Narsapur)