Train Services From Puri To Normalise By May 12: Dharmendra Pradhan

Bhubaneswar: Train operations from Puri will normalise completely by May 12, Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Thursday after a review meeting with senior East Coast Railway officials.

The minister, who was briefed by ECoRly general manager Vidya Bhushan about restoration work undertaken following cyclone Fani at its headquarters, said all Express trains originating from Puri will start commencing operations from the station by May 12. He said the tendering process for carrying out repair and restoration work at Puri station will be completed soon.

The minister said railways are mindful of the approaching Rath Yatra festival and lauded its efforts to resume rail service operations within a day of the cyclone Fani battering coastal Odisha.

Touching on other issues, he said that of 29 petrol pumps damaged in Puri district, 22-23 began operations on Wednesday evening. Puri district has about 52 petrol pumps. Also, petrol pump-on-wheels were pressed into service, coming as a major breather for diesel gensets for power telecommunication towers and other utilities. He said both the state and the Centre are working in tandem and on a war footing to restore normalcy in the region.