After BBS Railway Station fire, drive launched against vagabonds

Bhubaneswar: After massive fire reported in the parking area of Bhubaneswar Railway Station outside the waiting hall area this morning, the Railways authorities launched a drive against vagabonds on premises of the railway station.

An order has been issued by the East Coast Railway against the vagabonds and undesirable elements in and around Railway premises.

Although the cause behind the fire is unknown, the ECoR anticipated that due to severe winter conditions some people might have light a small fire and sit around it.

Taking serious note of the fire incident, the ECoR has ordered a fact-finding inquiry to know the exact cause of the incident. The probe report will be submitted to the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Khurda Road.

Hours after the incident, the senior officials from the ECoR headquarters and Khurda Road visited the Bhubaneswar Railway Station to take stock of the situation.

The ECoR AGM Sudhir Kumar, who visited the fire site, issued instructions to the officials to take special steps in view of the incident.

As per the order, no unauthorised parking of vehicles and two-wheelers will be allowed. The parking areas will be kept free from people loitering around the place.

The ECoR imposed fines on people littering Railway areas and throwing garbage.

“Sharp look out for people smoking cigarettes/beedis and throwing stubs in garbage dumping areas. This is a potential safety hazard,” said the ECoR in a release.

As the heaps of plastic waste and other garbage was kept in the area where the fire oriented, the garbage cleaning will be intensified from now onwards.

“Due to severe winter conditions, it is anticipated that there may be occasions when some people may light a small fire and sit around it. This type of situation will not be allowed near Railway areas,” a release stated.