BHUBANESWAR: The Oriyas staying in Mumbai are a disappointed lot today for their demand for a direct train to the pilgrim paradise of Puri, the land of Lord Jagannath, has got a `raw deal' from the Railways.

Eight months ago, Utkaleeya Welfare Committee, an umbrella organisation of the Oriya communities of Mumbai, brought to the notice of the Ministry of Railways that despite being one of the four most ancient and major centres of pilgrimage in India, there was not a single train to the place from Mumbai.

The committee further suggested in its memorandum to the Ministry for extension of the weekly 2145-Lokmanya Tilak Terminal - Bhubaneswar super fast express to Puri.

It also demanded that the train be named as Khandagiri Express and made daily as it links the western Orissa districts to the Maharashtra capital.

Viable alternative

The committee had further appealed for introduction of a new train from Puri to Mumbai via Berhampur, Rayagada and Nagpur.

While there is no train to Mumbai from Rayagada region of Orissa, the proposed train would also immensely benefit the passengers of Khurda and Berhampur stations besides reducing the pressure on the over-crowded Konark Express as a viable alternative, the memorandum had stated.

The memorandum was signed by scores of people from all walks of life and a copy of it was also endorsed to the Orissa Chief Minister.

The committee's spokesperson and Mumbai-based filmmaker Santosh Gour told The Hindu that though the General Manager (Operations) of the Central Railway has been forwarded the proposal to the East Coast Railway (ECR) for examination and remarks, there has been no response from the ECR so far.

Railways' stand

Mr.Gour further said that the Railways turned down the request of the committee to extend Vidarbha Express and Sewagram Express up to Puri on the plea that these trains are highly patronised.

Ironically, the Vidarbha Express was extended up to Gondia in Bihar.

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