A Railway Heritage Museum has been set up at Odisha’s Baripada railway station at an estimated cost of Rs 1.55 crores. The museum, which is spread over a 54000 square feet area, was inaugurated by the Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs and Jal Shakti, Bishweswar Tudu, on November 17.
Presently, the museum houses two restored narrow gauge locomotive engines and their coaches. They stand as a testimony to the glorious history of the erstwhile Mayurbhanj State Railway.
Tudu also mentioned a plan to introduce a toy train in the museum. The Railway Ministry is also planning to set up a park and other beautification projects on the premises to attract tourists visiting the district.
Train services between Baripada and Puri is also scheduled to be introduced soon. Additionally, survey work of the new rail line between Bangiriposi and Gorumahisani has already been completed. Union Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, is expected to inaugurate the project. The Railway Ministry is also prioritising connecting Chakulia and Badampahar via rail network.
“Recently, I met Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren for discussion on rail connectivity from Mayurbhanj to the neighbouring State which has hit a roadblock due to forest land issue. The CM assured that he will hold talks with forest officials to find a way to address the problem”, said Tudu.
Among others, Baripada MLA Prakash Soren, former Minister Praveen Chandra Bhanjdeo, and Divisional Manager of South Eastern Railway in Kharagpur Manoranjan Pradhan were present at the event.