ECoR automatic signalling on track

Completion of the automatic signalling system between Barang and Khurda Road will lead to an end to train detention along the major route by year-end, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) said here on Saturday.

The ECoR, which unveiled its development plan for rail network of Bhubaneswar area, said train detention is mostly caused by absence of such a system. By December-end, Khurda Road-Barang stretch will have automatic signalling installed not only enabling faster movement of trains but also facilitating running of more number of trains.

ECoR General Manager Indra Ghosh told mediapersons the entire stretch from Khurda Road to Barang has been divided into four block sections and work on automatic signalling between Bhubaneswar and Mancheswar section has been completed. The automatic signalling section between Mancheswar and Barang is expected to be completed by November.

Similarly, Retang-Bhubaneswar section is targeted to have the system by the time third line between the two stations is complete. It is expected by December.

With ‘Nabakalebara’ festival of Lord Jagannath scheduled for 2015, reversal of trains will be the biggest constraint from railway side, Ghosh admitted. As it is, reversal of trains at Khurda has become a major handicap in running of more trains to and from Puri during Rath Yatra and ECoR has proposed a bypass for Khruda Road Junction to overcome the problem. The land for the bypass would be 30-metre wide for one km and construction would be completed by end-2014.

Ghosh and his team, who had made a presentation to the State Government a few days earlier, also revealed a ` 250-crore plan for revamp of Bhubaneswar Station comprising multi-level parking, construction of a new station building, two additional platforms and a flyover for traffic at Station Square.

The highlight of the remodelling will be a seven-storey multi-level parking building which could accommodate 900 cars at one go in five tiers. The first floor would house the passenger reservation system while the basement will be used for scooter stand. The ground floor would have both scooters, cycles and Sulabh.

While there is land available for the remodelling projects, which includes an IRCTC office, Ghosh said a major part of the project involves State’s participation. Development of the station requires little dislocation. This can be developed in three years, he said adding, “The State Government has expressed to offer all its cooperation for the project.”