Survey For Rly Connection To Odisha’s Konark Soon; Puri Station To Be Developed In 2 Yrs

Bhubaneswar: The Centre is taking steps for train connectivity to Sun Temple at Konark in Odisha in order to increase tourists’ footfall from the country and abroad.

This was revealed by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, while speaking to media persons at Konark in Puri district where he led the celebration of 8th International Yoga Day.

Vaishnaw said a survey will be conducted for railway connectivity to Konark soon. The ministry plans to get railway connection to the Black Pagoda from Puri initially. Later, the connectivity will be extended to other places, he added.

He further said the projects worth Rs 364 crore for development of Puri railway station into a world-class transit hub would be completed in two years. “New Jatri Niwas to be constructed and it will be designed in a way which will have ability to withstand wind speed upto 200-300 kmph,” he added.

For transportation of devotees coming from across the country to Rath Yatra in Puri, the Railways would run 205 trains , the minister said.