Bhubaneswar: Rilway Board chairman and Chief Executive Officer Suneet Sharma on his one-day visit to Bhubaneswar on Sunday inspected Bhubaneswar Railway Station and reviewed the ongoing projects of this region with general manager, divisional railway managers and principal heads of the departments of East Coast Railway.

During the inspection of Bhubaneswar Railway Station, Sharma stressed on the need and significance of facilities provided to the passengers.

In an interaction with the media, Sharma said that a number of facilities have been developed and under the process of development. The primary focus is on development of circulating areas, concourse, platform lightings, waiting rooms, toilets, recently added elevators that are much needed for the comfort of passengers. Sharma also interacted with some of the passengers who were waiting for their trains in the waiting hall.

Speaking to media, Sharma informed that, Bhubaneswar Station is going to be developed into a World Class Station. Redevelopment plan for Bhubaneswar Station has already been done. Railway is coordinating with BDA and a joint plan is being workout. He also informed that Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) will work out the Railway portion of the developmental work and rest of the work will be done by BDA. Action is being taken to complete this work at the earliest. One platform and two additional lines will be added in this project.

In addition to the development of Bhubaneswar Station, Bhubaneswar New Railway Station is being developed as a satellite Terminal Station of Bhubaneswar main Station.

All the ongoing railway projects of Odisha have national Importance. Railways have given all input to the projects. Railway is getting support from State Government for land acquisition for projects.

Later Sharma reviewed the ongoing railway projects of East Coast Railway with GM Vidya Bhushan, all the principal heads of departments, senior officials, and DRMs at Rail Sadan.

Sharma congratulated East Coast Railway for its consistency in the field of loading and maintaining top position amongst all loading zones of Indian Railways.

To improve the quality of service both in loading and in passenger segment, Sharma said that, special attention should be given for monitoring and counselling of crew, focusing on safety, reducing terminal detention, increasing the line capacity by means of Intermediate Block Signalling and Automatic Block Signalling System.

During the review meeting Sharma praised ECoR for improved project monitoring system.

East Coast Railway GM Vidya Bhushan and DRM Khurda Road Division Rinkesh Roy participated in the review meeting. Divisional Railway Manager of Waltair and Sambalpur participated through video conference in the meeting.