Bhubaneswar: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday reviewed the rail connectivity, post cyclone Fani, and informed that the services of 10 out of 18 pair of trains commuting to Puri have resumed and all the pairs will be operational by May 12.
Pradhan took stock of the progress of the train movement with East Coast Railway (ECoR) authorities here. The railways have cancelled more than 100 trains in view of the cyclone.
“Khurda Railway division has suffered maximum damage due to Cyclone Fani but is now slowly bouncing back to normalcy. Services of 10 out of 18 pair of trains commuting to Puri have resumed and all pairs shall be operational by May 12,” said Union Minister Pradhan, who hails from Odisha.
He also asked the officials to provide potable drinking water, mobile charging points and facilitate use of stations as hygienic night shelter points.
With nearly 200 kmph wind storms and incessant rains bringing down trees, power and communications lines and thatched houses, cyclone Fani barrelled through the eastern coast in Odisha’s Puri district on May 3 leaving at least 41 people dead in different coastal district and also paralysing normal life in capital city Bhubaneswar and its neighbouring Cuttack city.
The Union Minister also hailed speedy restoration of railways stations in Bhubaneswar, Khurda Road, Puri and Cuttack.
In view of the upcoming Rath Yatra festival in Puri, Pradhan suggested the Railway authorities to repair the affected railway stations and foot over bridges on war footing to ensure passenger safety and comfort.
