Resentment among the residents of Jharsuguda over lack of passenger facilities at Jharsuguda Road railway station

Jharsuguda: The recent decision of East Coast Railway to divert the Tri-weekly Hirakud Express train through Jharsuguda Road railway station has caused resentment among the residents of the industrial town.

Hundreds of resident of Jharsuguda on Saturday submitted a memorandum to Divisional Railway Manager, Sambalpur Divison, East Coast Railway through the Jharsuguda Road Railway’s Station Master over the demand.

The resident alleged that the construction work of Jharsuguda railway station is still going on and lacks basic amenities facilities due to which the passengers would face great difficulty once the express trains will start stopping at this station.

“We got to know through newspaper that a train Vishakhapatnam – Amritsar Hirakud Express (18507/18508), will not come to Jharsuguda Station from 9th Sept. and will get diverted from Jharsuguda Road railway station but this station lacks basic facilities for the passengers as there is no waiting hall, �no canteen or eatery, no security provision, GRP post is not present and several others. Passengers security is the most priority and I think that Sambalpur Railway division authorities have not given an exact picture of this railway station to higher authorities and have taken this decision alleged said Advocate Dinesh Jain, secretary, Anchalik Vikas Parisad

“Our demand is that, till the fulfilment of basic facilities at the station and road on both sides, no trains should be stopped at Jharsuguda Road Railway station. Once all the basic facilities like toilets, water, waiting hall, shed are done then the railway can stop we don’t have any problem” said Hira Lockchandani, President, Jharsuguda Chamber of Commerce.

“Hirakud Express Train stoppage at Jharsuguda Road railway station will increase the punctuality by decreasing the time by one hour�for an�engine change at Jharsuguda railway station. The station itself is now in Category E stage and will develop as per the norms. Even the PRS counter with computerized UTS has opened at the station on Saturday and will gradually improve public services from time to time. “said Senior official from Sambalpur Divison, East Coast Railway