Balasore: A city-based organisation has threatened to launch an agitation if no steps were taken to increase the number of railway platforms here within 45 days.

According to railway sources, the passenger traffic is about 15,000-16,000 a day.

Due to increasing passenger traffic in the railway station, the number of platforms should be increased from four to six, said the member of Civil Society Balasore.

The protesters demanded setting up of a booking counter in the west side of the railway station alleging that one of the oldest British era rail stations in South Eastern Railway zone was in neglect.

"Since Balasore is expanding in a rapid pace and most of the important establishments, including the government medical college and hospital, AIIMS satellite centre and all major industries are located in the Remuna area (west side) of Balasore rail station, it is the need of the hour to have another platform and a booking counter in the west side," said secretary of the organisation Manoj Nayak.

"Moreover, the new booking counter will lessen the distance between bus stand (which is also in west end of the station) and the railway station to a great extent. The passengers of either end can have an easy accessibility for their conveyance," said Nayak. "The goods shed which is located next to Platform No. 4 should be shifted elsewhere and the space can be utilised for construction of a new platform. In this regard, a memorandum has been submitted to the rail authorities."

District collector Ramesh Chandra Rout said: "This is the genuine demand of people of Balasore district. I will apprise the matter to appropriate authorities."

Local MP R.K. Jena said: "There is a genuine need of having another platform and a booking counter."