Bhubaneswar, July 6 (FN?Representative) Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has sanctioned a major fund of Rs 155 lakhs from the MPLAD Scheme for improvement of bahanaga,the site of June 2 triple train tragedy which claimed 292 lives and injured over a thousand. Vaishnaw had met the first responders at the accident site, local people, villagers, members of NGOs during his visit at Bahanaga Bazar and Balasore on June 20 and 21 last. He appreciated their effort to save the lives of many passengers. Local residents interacted with the Minister and raised certain demands for the area. The Railway Minister had promised to fulfill their demands and sanctioned the money from the MP LAD fund. Vaishnaw fulfilled his promise and within two weeks 2 High masts with floodlights have already been provided for proper lighting and visibility of the area.
To improve the drainage system, installation of new Hume pipes is going on in full swing. Trenching has already been done, materials are available at the site and work will be completed very soon,official sources said. The Railway minister has sanctioned a fund of Rs. 1 crore for various developmental works at Bahanaga and nearby villages including construction of 5 Community Centres and Hall with provision of toilet & cold drinking water with RO, construction of Children Park and strengthening of Road from NH-16 to Level Crossing No. 95. To fulfill his commitment, Vaishnaw has also sanctioned Rs. 35 lakhs for Advanced Life Support (ALS) Ambulance for Balasore District Headquarters Hospital. Moreover, Rs. 20 Lakh has been sanctioned for one Modular Operation Theatre at Balasore Lions Eye Hospital Vaishnaw has given emphasis on fast-tracked completion of all the developmental work.