Commonwealth Express to reach Orissa capital Bhubaneswar on 7th August

Report by Dipti Ranjan Kanungo, Bhubaneswar: In its ongoing journey to promote sports, information technology and youth issues all over India, the Commonwealth Express-an exhibition train will chug Orissa on 7th Aug-2010.  The exhibition train will remain open for all from 10 a.m to 08.00 p.m at Mancheswar Railway Station on 7th and 8th August 2010.

Indian Railways, a lead partner for the Commonwealth Game, started this exhibition train jointly with the Department of Information and Technology, Govt of India on 24th June 2010 from Safdurjung Railway Station, New Delhi. The train was flagged off by Hon’ble Minister of Railways Mamata Banerjee. 

The Common wealth Express is a fully Air-conditioned train specially designed and painted with the Commonwealth logo along with that of Indian railways.  This train is consisting of total 14 coaches out of which 11 coaches are only meant for exhibition.

The exciting sporting exterior graphics on the five coaches dedicated to the sports.  The inside story of 05 coaches starts with information on commonwealth games, (CWG), landmarks in history of Commonwealth games, Queen’s Baton Relay story- its travel plan, concept of first Green Commonwealth Games, CWG Logo and Shera (Mascot of CWG) story.  In coach No. 2 Miniature models of stadiums and their details are presented where the 17 sports are being played in Delhi.  Game schedule at a glance, medal tally and Delhi’s preparation at a glance is all available in this coach.  The coach 3 has live display of sports equipments and important facts about the 17 sports being played at the CWG-2010.  Coach 4 is a complete gallery of photographs and names of medal winners at the CWG-2006, Asian Games at Doha, along with various Olympic Games and details of Star Indian performers, who have brought India proud.

Coach 5 has a display of trophies won by the railways in the various sports events besides information on the Indian Railway’s pioneering contribution in sports with the list of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardees, Dronacharya, Dhyanachand, Arjun, Padmashri and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Protsahan award winners.

Apart from this, the additional 6 coaches have a complete IT story of India to be told by way of backlit translities, short information films dubbed in various languages.  One of the coaches has been designed as an auditorium with internet, video conferencing and mobile communication facilities. 

This is a unique gift to Railways to the nation.  It is indeed a matter of pride for the nation that Railways has always play an important role in promotion of sports in the country.  Railway through this unique gallery on wheels- “Commonwealth Express” will not only give vital information on the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Delhi but also on the star Indian Sports persons of the country.