Union Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday urged Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal for running two independent trains between Bhubaneswar and Kalahandi.
In a letter to the Railways Minister, Pradhan requested for both independent trains between Bhubaneswar-Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar and Bhubaneswar-Junagarh-Bhubaneswar in view of the long standing demands of the people of Bhawanipatna and Junagarh area in Kalahandi district. Pradhan in the letter said at present, the trains start from Bhubaneswar as one amalgamated train with 10 coaches bound for Junagarh and 12 coaches destined for Jagdalpur with a split up at Rayagada.
On return journey, also the two separate trains are amalgamated at Rayagada and run towards Bhubaneswar as one train.
“The present system creates many difficulties for the passengers especially from Kalahandi. Sometimes, passengers are not able to board the proper coaches due to the complications involved. I am also given to understand that if this proposal is accepted, the train shall run in full capacity due to huge demand of connecting between Bhubaneswar, the capital city and Kalahandi. Moreover, coaches will be more and more accommodation in reserved compartment will be available,” he wrote.