In keeping with its objective of inclusivity and all round development of Puri as a Swachh Iconic Place, NALCO launched battery-operated vehicle service free of cost, at Puri railway station for senior citizens, differently-abled passengers and sick people, in association with Khurda Railways Division.
The free-battery operated vehicle service was flagged off by Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand, CMD, NALCO and Shri Braj Mohan Agarwal, Divisional Railway Manager, Khurda. The initiative will benefit passengers travelling to Puri, which is an internationally-acclaimed religious and tourist destination.
Dr. Chand, CMD, NALCO, said, ‘NALCO is a symbol of pride in Odisha and the country. This battery-operated vehicle service will be free of cost to senior citizens, specially-abled persons and sick passengers. As a responsible corporate citizen, we have undertaken several projects to promote and develop Puri under Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Swachh Iconic Place project. Stressing on scaling up this initiative, Dr. Chand added, ‘’Battery-operated vehicle service will also be provided from Jagannath Ballav to Lord Jagannath temple, which will help in decongestion of Grand Road and enable the pilgrims to visit the Temple.’’
Praising NALCO for this noble initiative, Shri Braj Mohan Agarwal, Divisional Railway Manager, Khurda, complimented Dr. Chand for readily agreeing to provide battery-operated vehicles proposed by Railways in Puri, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack stations. Further, he said, ‘’This initiative will benefit lakhs of people visiting Puri. NALCO is carrying out a number of CSR projects in this historic place and contributing to Puri’s development. We are very proud to work with NALCO in CSR activities.’’ An MoU was also signed between Railways and NALCO, in presence of senior railway officials and NALCO executives.
Under the Swachh Iconic Place Project, NALCO is carrying out a number of activities, including, development and beautification of Gandhi Park, multi-storeyed car parking at sea beach, renovation of Niladri Vihar museum inside Jagannath Temple, providing access to drinking water at various spots in the city, development of heritage corridor, among other initiatives.