Wagon workshop shifted to Andhra from Odisha due to operational ease: Railways

New Delhi:The Railways today clarified that the proposed wagon workshop at Kalahandi in Odisha was shifted to Vishakhaptanam in Andhra Pradesh due to the “operational ease, availability of railway land, availability of water and cost benefits”.

According to railways, an announcement was made in the year 2013-14 Railway Budget for setting up a Wagon Periodical Overhauling (POH) Workshop in Kalahandi in Odisha. Proposal was sent to Railway Board in June 2013 by East Coast Railway (ECoR).

It said that during scrutiny of the proposal certain problems were observed like the location was on busy Vizianagaram-Titlagarh section, a very important line for freight movement.

It is not a natural point for empty wagon arising and would lead to avoidable empty movement of wagons, according to the release.

There was also problem of water availability at the proposed location at Kalahandi and land would have to be acquired from State government for setting up this workshop.

Accordingly, ECoR was advised to submit a detailed feasibility report in this regard. In the Feasibility report it was concluded that due to operational ease, availability of Railway land, availability of water and cost benefits, Vishakhapatnam area is better suited for setting up of wagon POH workshop.

Considering all these it was decided for setting up of this Workshop in Vishakapatnam (Vadlapudi) has been sanctioned in the last years Railway Budget 2015-16.