Rayagada: The railways is all set to ply electricity-run trains on Vizianagaram-Titilagarh railway line via Rayagada from April.
The electrification work of the 265 km stretch that continued for last one year by the East Coast Railways (ECoR) has reached the final stage. Senior officials of the department are monitoring the process to ensure that the work gets finished before the deadline.
An electricity-powered train engine that was started from Parbatipuram in Andhra Pradesh on an experimental basis reached Rayagada station Saturday without any hitch.
Railways security officer Sudarshan Nayak, CPD Basudev Panda, railways’ department Walter division employees and electricians travelled in the train from Parbatipuram to Singapur of Rayagada and inspected the electrification work.
A special transformer has been set up at Saipriya Nagar level-crossing to supply electricity for plying of trains. The power department has also set up power houses at Titilagarh, Muniguda, Kesinga of Rayagada and Vizianagaram, Bobali and Parbatipuram of Andhra Pradesh.
Residents of the area are elated as the electricity-run trains will provide respite from air and noise pollution being caused by diesel run trains over decades.
PNN
