The Naveen Patnaik Government, which is planning to do a Nitish Kumar in New Delhi on June 12, has sought at least six trains from the East Coast Railway (ECoR) to ferry its activists and supporters to the national capital.
As on Monday, the ECoR has given consent for one train with 20 coaches. ECoR sources said the ruling party is yet to submit its detailed journey plan which should include the route map, number of people to travel and the coach composition.
While the BJD has been asking for more sleeper and AC coaches for the special trains, the ECoR is trying to figure out how to make the arrangement. It has approached South Eastern Railway and Northern Railway for more trains to meet the demand.
“We will need more engines and coaches so that the special trains can be run. We are in talks with other zones at present,” an official said. Going by the number of trains it has asked for, the ruling party is looking at ferrying over 20,000 people from the State to the national capital for the meeting where the demand for special category status for Odisha will be presented.