Bhubaneswar, 13 June (H.S.): Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati on Saturday reviewed the ongoing redevelopment work of the Puri Railway Station and stressed the need for its timely completion ahead of the Rath Yatra 2027.

The Governor visited the project site around 11 a.m., where he was received by senior railway and district officials, including East Coast Railway General Manager Parmeshwar Funkwal, Puri Collector and DM Dibyajyoti Parida, and Puri SP Prateek Singh. He was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour by the district police.

During the visit, railway officials briefed the Governor on the progress of various components of the redevelopment project, including the station’s façade, entry and exit points, wall cladding, ceiling works, and passenger amenities. A detailed presentation, supported by a miniature model and project maps, showcased the proposed modern infrastructure.

The upgraded station is designed to offer enhanced passenger facilities such as food courts, Jan Aahar outlets, retiring rooms, dormitories, passenger lounges, automatic ticket vending machines, dedicated facilities for Divyangjan, baggage scanners, and barrier-free access systems. Officials said the redevelopment aims to improve passenger comfort, convenience, and accessibility, particularly in view of the high influx of pilgrims to the temple town.

Later, the Governor chaired a review meeting at Lok Bhavan, Puri, with senior officials of East Coast Railway and the district administration. He was also briefed on the proposed Puri–Konark railway link project and other infrastructure initiatives in the region.

Dr. Kambhampati emphasized that the redevelopment of the railway station should be completed before the Rath Yatra of 2027 to ensure improved facilities for lakhs of devotees and passengers. He underlined that public convenience and efficient service delivery must remain the primary focus of all infrastructure projects.

Referring to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for world-class railway infrastructure, the Governor said such projects play a crucial role in boosting connectivity, tourism, and economic development.

He also directed officials to ensure strict adherence to timelines through regular monitoring using PERT charts and periodic reviews. He stressed the importance of coordinated efforts between railway authorities and state government departments to remove bottlenecks and ensure smooth execution.

The Governor was further informed about ongoing station redevelopment works at major railway stations across Odisha, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Sambalpur, and Brahmapur.

Reiterating the need for timely execution of all projects, Dr. Kambhampati urged all stakeholders to work in close coordination so that the benefits of modern railway infrastructure reach the public at the earliest, contributing to Odisha’s overall development and improved passenger services.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda