Min lays stone for Cuttack, Balasore railway projects

Bhubaneswar/Balasore: Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday inaugurated and laid foundation stones of several projects in Cuttack and Balasore districts. He also flagged off a MEMU train between Balasore and Bhubaneswar.
Vaishnaw first visited Cuttack and laid foundation stone for the second entry and circulating area of Cuttack station. He also gave approval for widening of Malgodown Road near the station.The road is on railway land and the minister has given his nod for its development.
The development work for the second entry will have facilities like parking for two-, three- or four-wheelers, pickup and drop point, parking for ambulances, VIP vehicles, etc, including a wider approach road.
Vaishnaw said the railways is committed towards development of Cuttack station and funds will not be an issue for this purpose. He also directed officials to speed up the construction work for early completion.
Vaishnaw inspected Cuttack station and took stock of the development work and amenities.
Later Vaishnaw reached Balasore station and flagged off the Balasore-Bhubaneswar MEMU passenger (08411). Extension of railway network in Balasore and its adjoining remote areas will enable passengers to travel towards major stations like Bhubaneswar and Bhadrak, he added.
He also laid the foundation stone for the work of opening passenger train services between Balasore and Gopinathpur. He then visited Basta station to inaugurate the development works. Besides, he laid the foundation stone of the new station building at Jaleswar.
Vaishnaw said that Jaleswar is the gateway to Odisha. Stressing on timely completion of all ongoing railway projects, the Union minister said that he will personally monitor the station development work, including its design, at Jaleswar.
He also inspected the Balasore-Nilgiri railway line by travelling on an inspection carriage (train) and laid the foundation stone for making it fit for passenger trains. He promised the people of Nilgiri that passenger trains will run very soon.