The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, SEPT 10, 2021
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday flagged off the new modern Linke-Hofmann-Busch (LHB) rake of 08445/08446 Bhubaneswar-Jagadalpur-Bhubaneswar, Hirakhand Express, through videoconferencing from Rail Bhawan in New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, Vaishnaw said, “Hon’ble Prime Minister has been stressing upon the need for bringing about reforms in Railways. The vision is to make a wholesome transformation and not just incremental changes. Our Government is pursuing these projects on an express mode. Every year about Rs. 6000 to 7000 crore is being sanctioned in the budget for development of rail infrastructure in Odisha.
Stating that the Modi Government is committed to provide better connectivity and amenities to the railway passengers, Minister Vaishnaw said that introducing new modern LHB rakes in Hirakhand Express would provide better and more pleasant journey experience to train passengers.
Pradhan said that special attention is being given by the Union Government to this region in the field of development of Railway infrastructure and projects.
Hirakhand Express covers its journey of 784 kms from Bhubaneswar to Jagdalpur having stoppages at 21 intermediate stations in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh under East Coast Railway jurisdiction.
LHB Coach in Hirakhand Express will provide better comfort and jerk free journey to the passengers. LHB coaches are anti-telescopic, safer, lighter, and more comfortable. Hirakhand Express will now run with a load combination of 12 coaches as earlier, i.e. one AC 2-Tier, two AC 3-Tier, four Sleeper Class, three Second Class Seating and two Guard-cum-Luggage and Divyangjan Coaches.
