The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Visakhapatnam News : ECoR runs 76 special trains for Puri car festival

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Wednesday, Jul 08, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

ECoR runs 76 special trains for Puri car festival

Staff Reporter

Eighteen round-the-clock additional booking counters opened
Adequate number of security personnel deployed to tackle the rush

VISAKHAPATNAM: East Coast Railway (ECoR) ran a total number of 76 special trains from Puri to different destinations like Howrah, Sambalpur, Angul, Visakhapatnam and Palasa during the four days to clear the extra rush of pilgrims during the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath. A total number of 213 trains, including the special trains, which is 18 more than the previous year, touched Puri during the annual car festival. The earnings at the booking offices and PRS showed an increase to the tune of 29.9 per cent.

East Coast Railway also made various special arrangements for the pilgrims. Eighteen round-the-clock additional booking counters were opened and adequate number of RPF and GRP personnel had been deployed to tackle the rush at the booking counters and at the stations. The railway officials ensured continuous power and water supply and special care was taken to maintain the cleanliness of the toilets at all the stations. First aid posts were opened at all major stations and about 2,500 passengers were treated for minor ailments during the festival days.

To guide the pilgrims and tourists, commercial enquiry counters were opened at all platforms and single page timetable, highlighting the flow of the trains, were distributed to passengers free of cost.

In Puri town, IRCTC opened food stalls at the festival areas and platforms, and janata meals was made available for Rs. 10.

Various State Government agencies and NGOs supported East Coast Railway during the car festival.

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