East Coast Railway (ECoR) celebrated the 76th Republic Day at its headquarters in Bhubaneswar, where General Manager Shri Parmeshwar Funkwal unfurling the National Flag extended warm greetings to all Railway personnel on this auspicious occasion. He emphasized that Republic Day is a time to reaffirm our commitment to serving the nation, preserving the values enshrined in the Constitution, and fostering peace, harmony, and democratic principles across the country.
On this significant occasion, the General Manager shared key achievements by ECoR during the current financial year, highlighting remarkable milestones in railway operations, infrastructure development, and passenger services. ECoR has successfully achieved a historic loading milestone of over 200 MT, the highest among all railway zones, reaching this accomplishment in a record 290 days—five days earlier than the previous year.
ECoR has continued to prioritize passenger welfare and safety. In the current year, 1,781 special trains were operated, including 12 Kumbh Mela Specials. Additionally, 4,545 coaches were added to regular trains to accommodate seasonal demand. Six pairs of trains were introduced with modern LHB rakes, improving passenger comfort and safety. During the 2024 Rath Yatra, ECoR staff, particularly from the Khurda Road Division, delivered exceptional service by operating 321 special trains and serving approximately 15 lakh devotees.
ECoR has made significant progress in infrastructure development, completing 276 km of new lines, doubling, and multi-tracking during the year. Notable projects include the Khurda Road-Balangir new rail line and various electrification initiatives. The zone has also made strides in tunneling and commissioning several public-centric projects, including the Bargarh Road-Nuapada Road new line and road-over-bridge constructions to enhance mobility and safety.
Safety remains a top priority for ECoR, with significant improvements made to ensure safe and efficient train operations. Key achievements include the commissioning of new Electronic Interlocking Systems, the installation of Hot Axle Box Detectors, and the successful completion of a Full-Scale Joint Disaster Management Exercise. Additionally, ECoR has announced the construction of 170 Road Over Bridges (ROBs), with five ROBs and three Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) completed this financial year. ECoR also eliminated 18 manned level crossings and commissioned 20 ROBs and 75 Railway Under Bridges (RUBs) in the same period. Furthermore, 225 km of Through Rail Renewals and 351 km of Through Sleeper Renewals have been completed.
General Manager Shri Parmeshwar Funkwal concluded the Republic Day celebrations by congratulating all railway personnel and their families for their unwavering dedication, hard work, and commitment in achieving these historic milestones. ECoR, on this Republic Day, reaffirms its ongoing commitment to excellence in railway services, safety, and infrastructure development, continuing to contribute to the nation’s progress.
All Principal Heads of the Departments of ECoR along with Additional General Manager Shri Mohes Kumar Behera, senior officials & staff and East Coast Railway Women’s Welfare Organisation (ECoRWWO) President Smt Kavita Funkwal were present during the occasion. A cultural programme was also organized by the School Children and Volunteers of Bharat Scouts & Guides to mark the occasion
