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Citizens’ forum threatens stir for amenities at Puri railway station

BHUBANESWAR: Irked by alleged apathetic attitude of the Railways towards the problems of railway services to the pilgrims’ paradise of Puri, the Puri Nagarika Adhikar Surakshya Samiti, a citizens’ forum to fight for civic rights, has threatened to resort to agitation soon.

Samiti president A.K.Das stated that despite consistent demand by the people’s representatives of Puri and people as well over the past one decade, the Railway authorities had ignored the genuine demands. One of the most sought-after destinations for tourists and pilgrims, Puri is yet to be connected directly to major metros like Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, affecting tourism prospects of Puri, he said, adding that despite an announcement by the Ministry, the much-awaited Garib Rath linking Kolkata with Puri was yet to be launched.

Puri platform that received travellers from India and abroad painted a poor picture for lack of basic amenities, felt Mr. Das. Commuters were confused as two trains are often being put on the same platform since the existing platform has not been expanded. Because of absence of additional counters, they are compelled to stand in queue for hours to book their tickets. While there is an urgent need for a footoverbridge, lack of a rest-shed for commuters at the station compels them to stay at expensive hotels at a far-off places in the town, he observed. The sanitation system at the station was at its worst, he alleged.

The Samiti in association with the Konark Citizens’ Forum has also threatened to agitate over the inordinate delay in execution of the proposed Puri-Konark rail route that would connect the Golden Triangle of Puri-Konark-Bhubaneswar to boost tourism.

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