OdishaPlus Bureau
Odisha’s rich art, culture, and heritage will soon be on display on the exteriors of Bhubaneswar-New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express, thanks to the new initiative taken by Navratna CPSE National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) and East Coast Railway (ECoR). A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to this effect has been signed between NALCO and ECoR.
The MoU was signed between Lalatendu Das, DGM (CC&PR), NALCO and PK Samal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Khurda Road, ECoR, in presence of NALCO Chairman-cum-Managing Director Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand and senior officials of both NALCO and ECoR.
As per the agreement, NALCO will sponsor high-quality designs on vinyl wrapping sheets to drape the Rajdhani trains. ECoR has three sets of train rakes of Rajdhani Express. The designs, to adorn the exteriors of the train, have been made such that each coach will have a distinct display.
The designs will promote three themes – dance forms, archaeological monuments and flora & fauna of Odisha. “This will go a long way in promoting tourism potential of Odisha and promote traditional Odishan art,” said Ajoy Behera, Principal Chief Commercial Manager of ECoR. These designs will be placed between the glass windows of the coach on the exterior side. There will be two more strips – one at the top and the other at the bottom, reflecting various designs in traditional Pattachitra form.
There are a total of three rakes for Rajdhani Express. Each rake will consist of about 15 coaches. NALCO will pay Rs one crore for each rake, totaling Rs 3 crore as advertisement revenue to ECoR. NALCO’s designs and logos will also feature on the coaches. Reputed designers and agencies have been engaged in the exercise. The project is likely to be commissioned within a month’s time.
Eminent citizens from various walks of life including award-winning actor Nandita Das, veteran singer Prafulla Kar, renowned Odissi danseuse Ileana Citaristi and celebrated sculptor Sudarshan Sahu have lauded the effort of NALCO in promoting the art, culture, and heritage of Odisha at the national level.
This is going to be a historic opportunity for both NALCO and Indian Railways to come together and showcase Odisha’s rich art, culture, heritage, flora & fauna, and the vibrant dance forms of the State. This initiative will not only pave the way for increasing the tourism potential of Odisha but also create employment opportunities when people across the country learn about the popular tourist spots, along with the rich culture that Odisha possesses.
