Bhubaneswar: Construction of the third foot overbridge at Bhubaneswar railway station was completed on Monday.

Railway officials said the bridge was the widest such facility in the state with a width of six metres. It will shortly be thrown open to passengers.

Officials in the East Coast Railway said the overbridge constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 4 crore was sanctioned on January 17, and the construction was completed in 150 days. "As the station remains crowded during day time, most of the work was carried out during night hours. The construction included shifting of the electrical cables and signals as well as dismantling of the platform shelter. Site protection has also been carried out properly to avoid inconvenience to the passengers," said a railway official.

Bhubaneswar railway station has two such overbridges, but the one near the Cuttcak end remains less crowded as compared to the facility located near the Khurda end. For this reason, the railway has also formed a committee to identify suitable locations for train stops to ensure that the crowd is evenly distributed between the two existing bridges.

A railway official said the need of the third overbridge had emerged after the daily footfall of passengers at the station had reached to 80,000 from 50,000 two years ago. During this period, the train-handling capacity of the station has also increased to 200 every day.

The third bridge connects all platforms from platform No. 1 to 6 with landing on platform Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5.

"The new bridge will ease the traffic congestion on the platform during peak hours. Passengers can also switch over from platforms in less time with the third bridge becoming operational," said the official.

Railway officials further said that around Rs 70 crore had been granted for the modernisation of Bhubaneswar railway station. Several passenger amenities such as escalators, lifts in the station, along with adequate parking facility, will be created. Besides, an additional platform will also come up at the station. The station recently witnessed introduction of micro-tunnelling system to avoid waterlogging in the station area, including the platforms.

Demolition drive

The enforcement squad of the Bhubaneswar Development Authority on Monday faced opposition from local residents while undertaking a demolition drive from Sainik School to Acharya Vihar Square. The squad removed 15 wooden cabins and three extensions of other shops. Officials said the drive would resume on Tuesday with police force.