FOUNDATION STONE LAID VIRTUALLY BY PM MODI FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF RAYAGADA RAILWAY STATION
Badal Tah, Odishabarta, Rayagada (27-02-2024) : Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Rayagada Railway Station along with twelve stations under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and the construction of a Road Over Bridge(ROB) on last Monday. Divisional Railway Manager(DRM) Saurabh Prasad mentioned that 12 stations would get new station buildings, world-class amenities, 12 meter-wide Foot Over Bridges(FOB) and second entry to the station.
A function was organised at Rayagada Railway Station where a huge public gathering including public representatives like MP Saptagiri Ulaka, MLA Makaranda Muduli, Rayagada Adibasi Mahasangha leader & potential MLA candidate from Rayagada constituency Basanta Ulaka, Sub-Collector Kalyani Sanghamitra Devi, SP Harish BC, other dignitaries, school children, members from unions & associations, railway employees & family members, retired railway employees, etc took part in the celebration. Sapatagiri appealed to accelerate the Rayagada railway division, Gunupur-Therubali Railway line & plying of Visakhapatnam-Raipur Vande Bharat Express & Rayagada-Bhubaneswar train.
Rs243.51crores will be spent on Rayagada Railway station for redevelopment and construction of ROB. According to Prasad international level infrastructure at Railway station will be developed to ensure modern connectivity. East Coast Railway is also committed to the infrastructure development of this region. Work for different infrastructural projects is going on in war-footing basis and some have been completed, recently.
Under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, Rayagada will have benefits like better station accessibility, air concourze, wider FOB, waiting areas, toilet facilities, lift and escalator and cleanliness. It will also have free Wi-Fi, kiosks for local products through initiatives like ‘One Station One Product’, enhanced passenger information systems, executive lounges, spaces for business meetings, facilities for individuals with disabilities (Divyangjans), sustainable and eco-friendly solutions and Food Plazas, integration of stations with the surrounding city areas on both sides, promotion of multimodal connectivity and transformation of stations into vibrant city centres over the long term.
Construction of ROB & RUB will bring visible benefits to the public, remove traffic barriers, improve safety and enhance the overall efficiency of the transportation. It will enhance the convenience, comfort, and mobility of road users by reducing congestion, pollution, and travel time.
Prior to the virtual laying of the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Rayagada Railway Station, Prasad along with ADRM (Infrastructure) and other senior officers conducted a comprehensive inspection at Rayagada Railway Station & reviewed the ongoing station redevelopment works and various passenger amenities. Detailed inspection was done of Foot Over Bridge(FOB), circulating areas, parking spaces and station building improvements. Prasad conducted a window trailing inspection from Rayagada to Vizianagaram to check the progress of the infrastructure development activities and amenities. During his inspection, Prasad listened to local communities and representatives to address concerns. He ensured commitment to improving railway facilities and services for passengers.
