Date:20/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/20/stories/2007042013580500.htm

Back

Other States - Orissa

Ambitious plans afoot for Berhampur railway station

Staff Reporter

Amenities do not match its `A class' tag, says forum

Review meeting held

Photo: Lingaraj Panda

MUCH AWAITED: The overbridge, meant to do away with the Lanjipalli railway level crossing, is expected to be completed by October.

BERHAMPUR: The East Coast Railways plans to take up major development projects in Berhampur within next one year.

As per the revenue generated at the Berhampur railway station it is branded `A class' station by the railway authorities. But the citizen forums of the city have always complained that the Railways are yet to provide facilities meant for `A class' stations in Berhampur.

On Thursday a review meeting on railway facilities at Berhampur and Chatrapur was held in the city. The meeting was attended by Divisional Railway Manager P. K. Srivastava, Union Minister of State for Rural Development Chadrasekhar Sahu, local MLA R. C. C. Patnaik. The railway officials promised to finish the work of the railway overbridge near Kamapalli in the city by October 7 and to beautify the Berhampur station by that time.

Beautification of the station would include extra parking space and better lighting facility. Construction of the overbridge began in 2003. Work on the proposed Haldiapadar railway overbridge is expected to start after the rainy season.

The goods shed at the Berhampur station was shifted to Jagannathpur this month. In its place a fourth platform would be added. The length of the existing platforms would also be increased with addition of another foot-overbridge.

Special booking counters are on the anvil for women and physically challenged persons at the Berhampur station. A medicine shop would be opened up at the station for the passengers. A Sulabh Sauchalaya was proposed near the RMS office on the station premises.

Announcements

The railway authorities also agreed to make arrangements so that announcements regarding train arrival and departure were heard outside the station. Efforts were being made to have direct communication link between Vizag and Berhampur stations for up-to-date information of down trains.

The East Coast Railways has proposed to build a mini indoor stadium in the city. There was also demand for two passenger halts at Gudupadar and Ambapua on the outskirts of the city.