Baripada: For the first time, a passenger train driven by an electric engine was flagged off at Baripada railway station on Wednesday.
Former legislator of Morada in Mayurbhanj district Pravin Chandra Bhanjdeo flagged off the train from Baripada to Shalimar in West Bengal at 6.30 am.
Baripada was connected by train services during the British rule with a narrow gauge track from Bangiriposhi to Rupsa. Later, the tracks were converted into broad gauge and diesel locomotives replaced the steam engines.
Superfast Bangiriposhi-Bhubaneswar, Bangiriposhi-Balasore DMU and Baripada-Shalimar Express trains are plying on the route.
According to sources, since electrification upto Baripada has been completed, an electric engine was connected to Baripada-Shalimar train. It will be extended upto Bangiriposhi soon, they added.
