Daijiworld Media Network - Byndoor (SP)

Kundapur, Mar 3: Several private companies have evinced interest in investing in giving a facelift to Byndoor Mookambika railway station and improve facilities therein, it is gathered, if the plan of giving a make over to the station moves ahead as envisaged.

This station had been initially in a neglected state after it was set up. At the beginning, it was grouped under 'F' category but because of generation of high income in the region, and efforts of locals and district Railway Yatri Sangha, the station has now been upgraded to 'B' category. Noticing its swift progress, the railway department drew up pans to develop the station with an investment of Rs 16 crore made up of contributions from the department of railways, local area fund of MP, and the state government.

Some of the works have been undertaken but remaining works are pending for want of funds. After the central government recently mooted a plan to develop different sectors with private participation, private companies have evinced interest in taking over maintenance and development of selected railway stations in the country. Byndoor station is one of the stations chosen for overall development.

It is gathered that a Delhi-based private company has shown interest in making investment in the development of this station. The company officials are in talks with senior railway officials, and a team of officials is scheduled to visit Byndoor shortly to give further fillip to the initiative.

Once the station is taken over by private companies, the expected developments are in the number of tracks, converting the station into water filling station in which case trains will halt for longer duration, which in turn will boost business, facilities like lodging, park, and restaurant, boost to tourism potential of the region etc. Cold storage for fish trade may be installed in the railway station for transporting fish catches from Karnataka coast to various states by trains.

President of Mookambila Railway Yatri Sangha Byndoor, Venkatesh Kini, expects this step to bring overall changes to Byndoor, which has the potential to emerge as a leading pilgrimage, tourist and commercial centre in the country because of its locational advantage.