City BJP reiterates demand for railway passenger halt near Industrial Estate in Berhampur

Source: The Hindu & The Sambad

The demand for a passenger halt near the Industrial Estate in Berhampur city has remained unfulfilled despite repeated promises to that effect by the East Coast Railway authorities. In November 1998 at a meeting of the railway coordination committee recommendation was made for establishment of a passenger halt in industrial estate area. In 2010, East Coast Railway authorities had agreed in principle to establishment of this halt near industrial estate. A delegation of railway engineers had also made a spot visit in the past to prepare a feasibility report. But the passenger halt has not materialized yet. 

The apathetic approach of the railway authorities has led to public anger with political parties planning for another round of agitation. With the expansion of the city and rise of population in the area a passenger halt at Industrial Estate has become necessary. Infact, a passenger halt with the name Lanjipalli Passenger Halt was recorded in the railway timetable in 1946. But for some reason this passenger halt which was near present Industrial Estate was closed down later. A citizens' delegation had recently met the General Manager of East Coast Railway with the demand to reopen the passenger halt in industrial estate area of Berhampur. The Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division had also in the past recommended the establishment of this passenger halt. However, a small and genuine demand such as this has fallen victim to the red-tape of the callous East Coast Railway authorities who don't want to look beyond the four corners of the Zonal office. It is time they are made to understand the real problems faced by the public through agitations as this probably the only language they understand.