84 special trains for Rath Yatra

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar, June 19: East Coast Railway has made elaborate arrangements for ensuring smooth movement of passengers during Rath Yatra-2014.Railways will be running a total 84 special trains on Gundicha Yatra on June 29, Sandhya Darshan on July 6, Bahuda Yatra on July 7 and Suna Besha on July 8.This is in addition to about 25 pairs of regular train services.ECoR has also planned to run some special trains on July 9, the day following Suna Besha in order to evacuate the pilgrims, if required, according to an official release.A large number of extra coaches will be put into service in order to run these special trains.Elaborate arrangements have been made for cleaning and watering of trains for ensuring pleasant and comfortable journey.In order to handle large number of pilgrims, 35 additional ticket counters will be opened at Puri railway station.A large number of them, including the one at Bagala Dharmasala, would be functioning round-the-clock.Similarly, in order to handle the additional rush of pilgrims at other stations, additional booking counters will be opened at peak hours at Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Khurda, Brahmapur, Paradip, Bhadrak and Jajpur-Keonjhar Road.Three additional enquiry counters will be opened at Puri railway station in addition to one regular counter.These counters will be strategically located in the circulating area and near the temporary entry point at the extreme end of platform No.1A.Considering a large congregation of devotees at Puri railway station, elaborate safety arrangements are being made.Large contingents of RPF comprising about 500 personnel and sniffer dogs, and GRP consisting of about 750 officers and jawans would be mobilised for round-the-clock deployment.They would be assisted by 300 home guards.Fire service personnel will be available along with fire tenders at the station.Twenty-five fire extinguishers have been made available at strategic locations.CCTV Cameras will be installed covering the entire length and breadth of Puri railway station in order to keep a close watch on anti-social activities.