BHUBANESWAR:The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has decided to introduce its first Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) train between Berhampur and Cuttack from Friday.Sources said the train, which can accelerate and decelerate faster, will replace Berhampur-Cuttack-Berhampur passenger. The 12-coach rake with each coach having a capacity of 110 passengers has been made by Rail Coach Factory at Kapurthala.
The train number will be changed to 68434/68433 Berhampur-Cuttack-Berhampur MEMU instead of 58434/58433 Berhampur-Cuttack-Berhampur Passenger. “The new train will run six days a week as per the schedule of Berhampur-Cuttack-Berhampur Passenger. The special service on Berhampur-Khurda Road-Berhampur route will avoid rush and maintenance facility,” said an official.
On Saturday, the train will run as Berhampur-Khurda Road MEMU Special from Berhampur to Khurda Road at 9.30 pm. On Sunday, it will run as Khurda Road-Berhampur MEMU Special from Khurda Road to Cuttack at 11.45 pm. This will be first MEMU train of ECoR in the State. The railway zone has planned to introduce the service in other section after analysing the passengers’ feedback.
Since the train will have engines at both ends, it will not consume extra time for engine reversal. It will also maintain punctuality unlike traditional passenger trains. While maintenance shed for MEMU coaches at Khurda Road is nearing completion, two more rakes having 12 coaches each are expected shortly.
Meanwhile, the timings of Bhadrak-Cuttack passenger train has been revised. The train from Bhadrak will leave at 1.05 pm instead of 1.45 pm from June 23. It will arrive at Cuttack at 4.30 pm instead of 5 pm.