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Railways Assures No Revenue Loss for ECoR in Zone Transfer Amid Protests

The Indian Railways has issued a clarification stating the transfer of the Palasa-Ichchapuram section to the South Coast Railway zone will not affect the revenue of the East Coast Railway. It emphasized that the stations involved are small and handle primarily passenger traffic, not major freight. The Railways assured that all existing train services will continue without any changes to schedule or route. However, the move has faced strong objections from opposition parties in Odisha, who call it a betrayal.

Key Points: Railways: No ECoR Revenue Impact from Section Transfer

  • No impact on ECoR revenue
  • No disruption to train services
  • All existing schedules unchanged
  • Staff interests to be protected
  • Opposition parties object to merger
2 min read

No impact on ECoR revenue, services: Railways on section transfer row

Indian Railways clarifies Palasa-Ichchapuram section merger with SCoR won't affect East Coast Railway revenue or disrupt train services.

"These stations are small- to mid-sized and primarily handle passenger traffic... Therefore, ECoR's revenue remains unaffected. - South Coast Railway statement"

Bhubaneswar, April 5

Amid growing protests over the merger of the Palasa-Ichchapuram section with the newly created South Coast Railway zone, the Indian Railways on Sunday issued a clarification stating that the move will not affect the revenue earnings of East Coast Railway or disrupt train services on the route.

In an official statement, the South Coast Railway said the Palasa-Ichchapuram section, stretching around 50 km, comprises seven stations -- Palasa, Summadevi, Mandasa Road, Baruva, Sompeta, Jhadupudi and Ichchapuram. It added that all these stations are located in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh and none falls within Odisha.

"These stations are small- to mid-sized and primarily handle passenger traffic. None of them is a major freight loading point. Therefore, ECoR's revenue remains unaffected," the statement said.

Dismissing concerns over possible disruption to train services, SCoR clarified that pass-through freight traffic -- trains transiting through these stations en route -- will continue uninterrupted, regardless of zonal jurisdiction. It also noted that railway operations remain seamless across zonal boundaries.

SCoR emphasised that all existing trains, including Palasa-Bhubaneswar, Palasa-Cuttack, and Ichchapuram-Cuttack MEMU/passenger services, will continue to operate without any change in schedule, route or frequency. The Railways added that the merger is a technical adjustment aimed at ensuring smoother functioning of passenger services in the Visakhapatnam division.

The modalities of the transfer, including staff deployment, are being finalised between ECoR and SCoR. The interests and service conditions of all railway employees will be fully protected as per established norms.

"The government's commitment to Odisha is unwavering. Record capital expenditure on railway network expansion in Odisha, station modernisation, Vande Bharat services, and the newly created Rayagada Division under ECoR are evidence of this commitment," the statement said.

It is pertinent to note that opposition parties, including the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Congress and CPI(M), have expressed strong objections to the merger, calling the move unfortunate and a betrayal of Odisha by the BJP-led double-engine government. Leaders of these parties, at a joint meeting held here, alleged that the transfer would reduce the size of the East Coast Railway zone and lead to a decline in its revenue.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
Why is there so much political drama over a 50 km section? The Railways has clearly stated revenue and services won't be hit. Sometimes our politicians create issues where none exist. Focus should be on better train punctuality and cleanliness.
S
Suresh O
As someone from Odisha, I understand the concern. ECoR has done good work for our state. But if the clarification is true and employee interests are protected, maybe we should give it a chance? The promise of more investment in Odisha's railways is important.
A
Aryan P
The timing of this "technical adjustment" right before elections is suspicious, no? 🤔 All parties are guilty of using railways as a political tool. Hope the common passenger doesn't suffer because of this zone politics.
M
Meera T
Good to see a detailed clarification. The mention of protecting staff service conditions is crucial – railway employees should not face uncertainty. If this leads to smoother operations in Visakhapatnam division, it could benefit everyone in the long run.
D
David E
Respectfully, the Railways' statement feels a bit defensive. While they say "no impact," merging sections between zones often has hidden complications in logistics and coordination. I hope they have a solid transition plan beyond just PR assurances.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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