Bhubaneswar: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the east side entry of Cuttack railway station on Saturday.
The new entry, along with the East Side Station Building, marks a significant milestone in the station’s redevelopment under the Amrit Stations Scheme. It is expected to transform passenger travel, offering improved accessibility, safety, and convenience.
The East Side Entry is designed to provide seamless movement for passengers arriving from the National Highway, making the station more accessible and ensuring hassle-free access. This is a part of an ambitious Rs 303 crore project aimed at redeveloping Cuttack railway station into a modern transportation hub with world-class amenities.
Speaking on the occasion, Vaishnaw said this development would improve passenger experience and enhance the connectivity of the region. It would also contribute to socio-economic growth by boosting trade and commerce, making Cuttack railway station a key hub in the region, he added.
Followings are key features of the East Side Station Building:
• 21,270 sq ft of air-conditioned space ensuring a comfortable environment for passengers.
• A food court of 2,100 sq ft, modern toilets, ticket counters, waiting areas, escalators, lifts.
• Equipped with Sugamya-compliant escalators and lifts for enhanced accessibility, catering to all passengers, including those with disabilities.
• Spacious circulating area, parking, and pickup/drop-off facilities for easier access to the station.
• Features Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK), ATM kiosk, Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVM), and One Station One Product (OSOP) trolleys, promoting local handicrafts made by women self-help groups.
The East Side Entry project, constructed with a cost of Rs 14.63 crore, addresses the long-standing demand for better connectivity in the region.
The station will serve passengers not only from Cuttack but also neighbouring areas including Paradip, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Jajpur, Badamba, Narasinghpur and Niali.
Foot-over-bridge at Balasore station
Later, Vaishnaw also inaugurated a foot-over-bridge at Balasore railway station. The bridge, built at a cost of Rs 3 crore, was approved during the Railway Minister’s visit in February.
Balasore MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi, MLA Manas Kumar Dutt, Remuna MLA Govind Chandta Das were among others present at the inaugural function.
