CPM DEMANDS UPGRADATION OF AGE-OLD BRAHMAPUR RAILWAY STATION

The Ganjam district CPI(M) on Monday staged demonstration in front of the Station Manager’s office at the Brahmapur Railway Station, demanding steps for immediate upgradation of the age-old station. Hundreds of party workers holding placards in hands shouted slogans against the Railway authorities and the Central Government for allegedly taking no steps for modernizing the station. “Brahmapur Railway Station is one of the oldest stations of the country. This station also records the highest revenue collection compared to other railway stations in the State. Despite all these, this station stands neglected for long,” lamented CPI(M) State politibureau member and veteran trade union leader Ali Kishore Pattnaik.

Expressing concern over the fact that the station witnessed heavy loss after being affected by cyclone Phailin, Pattnaik slammed the Railway authorities for not taking up even restoration work after two months since the disaster hit it. The passengers are still waiting for trains under the open sky, he rued.

The leaders have also demanded separate toilets for female and male passengers both inside and outside the railway station. Later, the leaders submitted a memorandum addressed to General Manager (East Coast Railway Zone) through the Station Manager Durga Prasad Brahma.

Among others, party leaders Kailash Sadangi, Basanta Nanda, Yudhisthir Behera, Babula Nayak and Panchanan Jena were present. Meanwhile, in a statement, senior BJP leader Rama Chandra Panda criticised the apathetic attitude of the Railway Ministry for not taking steps to make the heritage railway station a world class one. Source: The Pioneer