Title - Patliputra station to be functional by month-end

PATNA: The newly-built Patliputra station, a dream project of chief minister Nitish Kumar, is likely to be made functional by the end of this month following approval from the Railway Board.

Commissioner of railway safety (CRS), eastern region, R P Yadav, has already given his clearance to run passenger trains from this station, said Danapur DRM L M Jha.

The station has been built at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore as part of the Digha Ganga rail bridge and is located on Bailey Road near Rukunpura. Jha said railways intended to run two pairs of passenger trains from this station. In future, railways would originate four pairs of passenger trains for Delhi and Howrah from there.

The DRM said railways has finalized the schedule of passenger trains which would finally originate from the Patliputra station. Furnishing of the station with proper amenities has been completed. Besides, PRS (passenger reservation system), booking counters, parcel office, waiting hall and other required infrastructure have been provided at this station to fulfil the needs of passengers, he said.

Though the Patliputra station is having three platforms now, there is provision to build more platforms there in future to cope with traffic rush. As per the new plan envisaged for developing this station, railways would develop it as a terminal point in future. This station will prove to be a boon for those living at the west end of Patna.