State moves Centre for
development of railway station

The State Government is willing for financial participation on a cost sharing basis for infrastructural development of Bhubaneswar railway station area, keeping in view the larger interest of the rail users. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik informed this to Railways Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal through a letter on Monday.

 East Coast Railway (ECoR) has drawn up a comprehensive ` 205-crore plan for construction of two additional platforms, a new station building having world class facilities, proper circulating area and a multi-level parking facility, the Chief Minister said and added that the plan was presented to him on September 3.

 Stating that the Government is willing to share the cost of the project, Naveen said that the modalities for the same can be worked out between the Railway Board and the State Government officials. The Chief Minister requested Bansal to take an early decision on the issue before the next railway budget.

 Naveen said the present infrastructure at Bhubaneswar station with just four platforms is grossly inadequate to cater to the needs of the present traffic. “I have been informed that two platforms are already sanctioned as part of Barang-Khurda Road third line work,” he said and added that in addition to this, two more platforms will be required to effectively deal with passenger traffic on a long-term basis.

 Naveen said the movement of road vehicles and their parking in Bhubaneswar station area also need immediate improvement. The flow of traffic to and from the station needs to be segregated from the route used by town buses and other local traffic, he said.