ECoR to run 192 trains for the Car Fest this year

Bhubaneswar: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) will run as many as 192 trains, including special ones, to cater to the huge rush of pilgrims to the temple city of Puri to witness the annual World famous Rath Yatra on July 4.

A decision to this effect was taken in the third Rath Yatra coordination committee meeting held under chairmanship of Law Minister Pratap Jena here on Thursday, which was attended by ECoR Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM). Later ADRM informed elaborately the preparatory measures initiated by the Railways to provide better facilities for the large number of devotees arriving in Puri to attend the car fest.

Railways have made arrangements for emergency train services, provided the situation demands so during the festival. Keeping in mind the huge rush, Railways  will  open 38 ticket booking counters in Puri, and 24 such counters across the State. For hassle free travel, provisions will also be made to install more automatic ticket vending machines at Railway Stations, in addition to the facility of booking train tickets through mobile app.

The Railways have also planned to ensure uninterrupted telephone services for the large devotees. It will also set up temporary information centres in the city for the benefit of the pilgrims joining the car fest this year.

"A continuous watch will also be maintained on unsafe buildings and mobile towers to avoid any untoward situation like stampedes," he informed.