Odisha moves Railways for development of Bhubaneswar station

"Keeping in view the larger interest of rail users of Bhubaneswar, the state government is willing for financial participation on a cost sharing basis," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wrote to Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal.

Modalities for the cost sharing for infrastructural development could be worked out between the Railway Board and the state state government officials, Patnaik said adding that infrastructure at Bhubaneswar station with just four passenger platforms was grossly inadequate.

The state government was informed that two platforms had already been sanctioned as part of Barang-Khurda Road third line work. Two more platforms would be required to effectively deal with the passenger traffic on long term basis, Patnaik said.

This apart, the chief minister pointed out that the movement of road vehicles and their parking in Bhubaneswar station area needed immediate improvement. "The flow of traffic to and from the state needs to be segregated from the route used by town buses and other local traffic," he said.

Meanwhile, East Coast Railway has drawn up a comprehensive plan with an estimated cost of Rs 205 crore for construction of two additional platforms, a new station building having world class facilities, proper circulating area and a multi-level parking facility. The ECoR's plan was presented before the chief minister on November 3, 2012.

"An early decision before the next railway budget would be very much appreciated," Patnaik said in the letter to Bansal.