Title - Coach depot possible in Raipur: MoS for Rlys

Union Minister of State for railways Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury performed the Bhoomi Poojan of foot-over bridge and lift at Raipur Railway Station, on Thursday.

The Minister was on his maiden visit to Chhattisgarh as Union Minister of State. During his two-day visit the Minister received 500 memorandums pertaining to various demands. The Minister assured that considering the fact that Bilaspur railway division is one of the divisions yielding highest revenue for railway, in the coming railway budget, Chhattisgarh would not be overlooked. He further said that coach depot (depot where railway coaches are maintained) can be constructed in the State, but only after the consent of Chhattisgarh Government. "The depot can be set up after the State Government agrees to provide land for the purpose," the Union Minister said.

He informed that some areas of Mandir Hasoud and Lakholi which are under Sambalpur railway board shall be included in Raipur railway board in the coming rail budget. "This will help in the development and better management of the railway facilities in the area," stated the Minister. The Minister said that in past two days he has received about 500 applications. Considering these huge demands to increase of passenger services in South East Central Railway, he had continuously talked with the Zone Manager Arunendra Kumar and Raipur Rail Board Manager PS Mishra. The MEMU train, till Korba will be extended to Gevra Road and very soon Public Reservation System (PRS) service will be available in Mungeli. The Minister also approved for construction of a normal height railway under-bridge at Kaivalyadham. He also assured that the pending demands like doubling of Bilaspur-Urkura railway line, Champa by-pass line, will be also undertaken very soon.