Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday reiterated the state government's demand for introduction of a new train to Mumbai to be named as "Buxi Jagabandhu Express".
In a letter to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, Patnaik called for quick steps to introduce a daily AC express train service between Mumbai and Puri/Khurda Road via Sambalpur and increase the frequency of the existing weekly trains so as to cover all days of the week.
"One new daily AC Express train may be put in operation between Mumbai and Puri/Khurda Road via Sambalpur and the frequency of the existing weekly trains may be increased so as to cover all days of the week in order to facilitate smooth, comfortable and hassle free journey of the passengers," said the Chief Minister.
Referring to an earlier communication in which he had sought a Humsafar type AC Express train from Khurda Road to Mumbai in the name of Buxi Jagabandhu, Patnaik said the introduction of the train would be a tribute to the legendary freedom fighter who had led the Paika rebellion of 1817.
Odisha is famous as epicentre of cultural heritage with Puri being one of the celebrated pilgrimage centres, whereas Mumbai is the commercial capital of the country. There are enough reasons for both the places to connect with each other socially, economically and spiritually, he further added.
While scores of people from Odisha who work in different sectors in Mumbai depend on the railways for their journey, a large number of visitors from Maharashtra visit Odisha regularly, he said.
--IANS
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