Bhubaneswar: In order to enhance the efficiency and capacity of train movements at Khurda Road station, the Ministry of Railways, under the leadership of Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, has sanctioned the construction of a flyover, East Coast Railways (ECoR) officials said Monday. The move will facilitate smoother train operations in the Howrah-Chennai Main Line and Khurda Road-Puri Branch Line, they said. The flyover, to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 191.87 crore, will be in an area spanning 7.41km. This will facilitate the smooth movement of passenger-carrying trains in Bhubaneswar direction which originates from Puri, ECoR officials informed. “The construction will be part of the Energy Corridor of Indian Railways, showcasing a commitment to sustainable and efficient infrastructure development. The new flyover will eliminate detentions on account of cross-movements, improving the average speed and operational efficiency of trains in the Bhubaneswar-Brahmapur and Khurda Road-Puri Rail Sections,” they said. Presently, any train coming from Puri and going towards Bhubaneswar creates a surface crossing at Khurda Road Junction. This limitation prevents the simultaneous movement of trains from Khurda towards Palasa and from Puri towards Bhubaneswar at Khurda station. Once, the flyover is commissioned, simultaneous movement of trains from Puri and towards south can happen together, the railway officials said.
ARINDAM GANGULY, OP