Bhubaneswar: The first Main Line Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) train service in the state will roll out between Bhadrak and Palasa before rath yatra, said the East Coast Railway's general manager Umesh Singh.

The MEMU service involves operation of two engines simultaneously.

"Construction of MEMU shed at Khurda Road has been completed, and the service will be introduced before rath yatra. The railway has completed 11.3km of new lines, 204km of doubling work, 324km of electrification works and 28km of automatic signal job in 2017-18 financial year. All unmanned level crossings in the railway's limits will be eliminated by July," said Singh.

He also said the construction of six-metre-wide foot overbridge at Bhubaneswar station would also be completed by June. Railway officials said it was required after the daily footfall of passengers at the facility had reached to almost 80,000 and its train-handling capacity increased to 200 every day.

"The proposed foot overbridge will ease the traffic congestion on the platform during peak hours. Passengers can also switch over from platforms in less time with the third foot overbridge," said a railway official.

Though the station has two foot overbridges, the one near the Cuttack end remains less crowded as compared to the one near the Khurda end. For this, the railway has also constituted a committee to identify suitable locations for stoppage of trains to ensure that the crowd is evenly distributed between the two existing foot overbridges.

"Around Rs 70 crore has been granted for the modernisation of Bhubaneswar railway station. Several passenger amenities such as escalators, lifts, along with adequate parking facility, will also be created. Besides, an additional platform will also come up at the station," said an official.

Railway officials said the micro-tunnelling system had been commissioned at Bhubaneswar railway station to avoid waterlogging in the station area, including platforms, and also avoid disruption in signal system.