Minister unveils passenger facilities

VARANASI: Minister of state for railways Manoj Sinha unveiled a number of passenger amenities and facilities for the passengers at a function held at Varanasi Cantonment railway station on Saturday.
The minister dedicated the 207-km long Varanasi-Lohta-Janghai-Unchahar (including Phaphamau-Prayag-Allahabad) electrified route at a cost of approximately Rs.156 crores.
Speaking on the occasion, Sinha said, “We have set a target to electrify 10,000 km rail route in the region in next four years”. He further said that soon Shiv Ganga Express and Swatantrata Senani Express will have LHB coaches.
He also inaugurated a new mechanized laundry plant of one tonne capacity which would be further enhanced up to four tonnes in near future. This laundry would be equipped to prepare up to 1,150 bedroll packets in each shift. Starting its service to Kashi Vishwanath Express this laundry will subsequently provide service to Begumpura Express and other trains.
The minister also unveiled the 11-bed AC dormitory and upper class AC waiting room on the first floor, and 10-bed non-AC dormitory on the second floor of the station building. He dedicated the newly-installed energy efficient LED lighting system for the entire station premises including circulating area and station façade to enhance look and feel. Besides, he also dedicated a new upgraded running room having a capacity of 200 beds. The minister also laid foundation stone for the construction of a second class waiting room on the first floor of station building.
The minister also announced a cash prize of Rs. three lakh to the team of central organisation for Railway Electrification (CORE) for timely completion of the project on the occasion. BLP MLAs Joyotsna Srivastava, Shyamdeo Roychadhury, Ravindra Jaisawal, mayor Ram Gopal Mohley, NR GM AK Puthia and others were present on the occasion.