Bhubaneswar: Five railway stations in the state, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Sambalpur and Jharsuguda, are among 90 stations across India that have been selected for development by the Indian railways ministry.

The revamp will include showcasing the area's local culture of history.

"In an attempt to increase passenger amenities and to give an aesthetic makeover to the most visited stations across Indian railways, ministry of railways has formulated the plan to redevelop 90 stations across Indian railways. The redevelopment plan of 90 stations is assigned to different zones/nodal agencies," according to a press release from East Coast Railway.

While the state government will be the executing agency for the work at Bhubaneswar railway station, the other three will be developed by the zonal railway.

Railway officials said visitor amenities such as escalators, lifts, adequate parking facility would be included in the revamp. The existing Bhubaneswar station, with six platforms, has two station buildings. Bhubaneswar averages a daily footfall of 80,000, while 200 trains originate/pass though the station every day.

As part of the revamp, Bhubaneswar will get another platform from the Master Canteen Square side. "The station will have commercial complexes, fire-fighting measures, rainwater harvesting system and green landscape. We have also started construction on another foot overbridge at the station. The Rs 7-crore bridge will help passengers by supplementing the two existing ones," said a railway official.

Passengers welcomed the move and appealed for adequate parking space. "The station area has witnessed parking problem for years. Though the present amenities are satisfactory, the augmentation will attract more visitors. The authorities must also remove encroachment from the area," said Sudhakar Dash, a regular passenger.