Odisha: Resuming service of Balangir Intercity train demanded

BHUBANESWAR: Balangir Intercity is a major train that connects western districts of Odisha with the state's capital Bhubaneswar. But it remains cancelled for several days. The cancellation of this train is causing immense problems to people, particularly patients who depend on Bhubaneswar.
The Railways has cancelled this train till further notice to break the chain of Covid-19 infection and in view of poor patronisation of trains during pandemic.
Balangir-Bhubaneswar Intercity train was introduced on February 8, 2006. People from western Odisha districts including Balangir, Sonepur, Bargarh and Sambalpur use it frequently for commuting. The train quickly became one of the most popular local trains in the state after its introduction. “The 396km from Balangir to Bhubaneswar journey takes around seven hours.
Balangir citizen committee member and RTI activist Hemanta Panda said students, patients and their attendants, traders, working people and the persons having works in the high court use this intercity train very often. “We urge the East Coast Railway (ECoR) to run this train immediately for the benefit of the common people,” he added.
Sivam Mishra, a native of Bargarh district, said train journeys are cheaper and more convenient compared to other modes of transportation during this Covid time. “If the bus services are running in the state during the Covid time, what happens to the Railways in running this train,” he added.
As the Covid cases are coming down in the state, people are requesting the Railways to run this train along with other local passenger and intercity trains for the convenience of rail users. “I visit Bhubaneswar frequently for medical check-ups. If a train originates from Balangir, it will be easy for me to get a ticket easily. Sometimes I find it difficult to get a confirmed ticket on short notice in inter-state trains, that’s why I request the ECoR to resume the service of this train,” said Nakula Suna from Balangir.