BHUBANESWAR: Giving emphasis on cleanliness, East Coast Railways (ECoR) has decided to set up two mechanised laundries in Bhubanswar and Puri soon. The 12 tonne capacity advanced laundries will be set up in Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) model."Stained bed-sheets, stinking pillow covers and towels and damaged blankets in trains staring from Odisha will soon be a thing of past. The foundation stone of the mechanised laundries one each at both cities will be laid in October this year and will be ready by next year," said general manager of ECoR, Umesh Singh.Singh said, ECoR will also lay bypass lines at Khurda Road, Titlagarh and Vizianagaram for smooth running of trains. "Engines have to reverse back at these stations leading to delay of trains by over 30 to 40 minutes. We are trying to complete the construction work of the bypass lines in this financial year," he added.Besides, facilities for Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) trains will also be developed in the state. "MEMU trains are basically short-distance, high speed trains which will help in improving intercity rail communication," Singh said.Eight new stations under the ECoR are going to get wi-fi connections in this financial year including Sambalpur, Rayagada, Vizianagaram, Jagdalpur, Berhampur, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Srikakulum. "Our focus will now be diverted towards district headquarters and small towns to provide fast internet service through wi-fi at eight stations by this financial year," Singh pointed out.Singh said that track will be fit to run the train till Nayagarh Station of Khurda-Bolangir Railway Line by the May-2017 and the work from the Bolangir end of the project has already been started. Bolgarh passenger halt to be completed soon, he added.The ECoR has also planned to make Khurda Road-Puri as a green corridor with all trains fitted starting from the stations with bio-toilets by September 2017 and has set the ambitious target of making all trains of ECoR fitted with bio toilets by March 2018.Over Malgodown land controversy in Cuttack, Singh said, "Cities are expanding so we need expansion of railway facilities as well. For expansion of Bhubaneswar we constructed New Bhubaneswar Station similarly we have to expand in Cuttack. Those who will lose their lands will be properly rehabilitated and compensated."This year ECoR is also planning to start construction of Paralakhemundi and Talcher Road stations in the state besides, construction of electric loco POH workshop at Narla and Freight Maintenance facility at Maneswar will also begin soon, he informed.

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