President train slowed near Chilika for Droupadi Murmu to enjoy lagoon's beauty: Loco pilot

Droupadi Murmu. Photo Courtesy: PTI

The loco pilot, who drove President Droupadi Murmu's special train between Bhubaneswar and Berhampur, on Thursday said he slowed down the locomotive while passing through Chilika lagoon to enable her to enjoy the scenic beauty of Asia's largest brackish water lake.

Jayant Kumar Sahoo, a senior loco pilot with the East Coast Railway (ECoR), drove the Presidential special train on its onward journey to Berhampur on Tuesday and the return trip on Wednesday, covering around 340 km, railway officials said.Life

Sahoo (51), a resident of Jatni, said he felt proud after being selected to drive the President's special train.

"I was excited ever since I was selected to drive the President's special train in which Murmu and other dignitaries travelled from Bhubaneswar to Berhampur and back," he said.

Though he has been driving mail and express trains for the last 10 years, it was the first time he was assigned such a responsibility, Sahoo said.

"I operated the train as per the protocol and within the time frame instructed by senior officers. The average speed of the train was around 130 kmph, but it was reduced to 80-90 kmph while passing through Chilika," he said.

A senior ECoR official said the loco pilot had been instructed in advance to reduce the train's speed so that the President could enjoy the view of the lagoon, known for its migratory birds and Irrawaddy dolphins.

"The President could see Chilika Lake for about 30 minutes from the train," the official said.

The official said the railway also presented the President with a large photograph of a Vande Bharat Express crossing the Chilika lake.

"We hope it will remain a memorable journey for the President. She was happy," the official said.

Recalling the journey, Sahoo said his assistant Barun Kumar, engineers and train managers Rebati Singh and Reshma Toppo remained alert throughout the operation.

"We felt very happy and proud to operate the President's Special for the first time," Singh said.

Though the railway staff did not get an opportunity to interact with the President due to protocol, operating the special train was a memorable achievement, Sahoo said.

After reaching Berhampur on Tuesday, the Presidential Special Train was moved to Jagannathpur station for stabling. On Wednesday, it left Berhampur at 10.20 am and reached Bhubaneswar at 12.25 pm, five minutes ahead of schedule, Sahoo said.

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