Passengers resent cancellation of south bound train

Surjit kumar Dhal, Sambalpur, March 21: While extension of south bound trains from Bhubaneswar to Sambalpur is high in demand, cancellation of train to Banasbadi from Sambalpur has caused resentment among the people here.

A weekly train from Sambalpur to Banasbadi in Karnatak was running regularly with cent percent occupancy. The train was leaving Sambalpur on each Wednesday at 9.30 am and reaching Banasbadi next day evening catering to the needs of the people of Western and Southern Odisha.

But cancellation of this train without any valid reason from 16 November last year has caused hardship for the people.

Students and the patients are the worst sufferers due to cancellation of the train.

However, the railway authority claims that the train has been cancelled due to modernisation work at the other end.

When contacted the Divisional Operation Manager (DOM) of Sambalpur M Hirwe said : “Due to renovation of the Banasbadi yard, the train has been cancelled. But no time could be given as to when the train service could be revived.”

The DOM further assured that the thrain would be revived but no time frame could be given.