April 28, 2026 01:14 pm (IST)
Follow us:
Transient defence personnel to have better comforts at Howrah Station
Kolkata, Oct 28 (IBNS): The biggest railway terminus in the country-Howrah Junction-will shortly have a spanking new 'Sainik Aramgah' or rest rooms for transient defence personnel and their dependents that will make their rail journey more pleasant and comfortable.
Station Commander, Kolkata Garrison, Maj Gen Harsha Kakar reviewed the facilities of Movement Control Office (MCO) during an inspection at Howrah railway station and expressed satisfaction at the upcoming project being readied by the Railways.
"The new facility replete with modern amenities at platform number 17, is expected to be ready in the next two months," Col Bhaskaran SKM, Commanding Officer, 413 MC/MF Detachment responsible for overseeing the movement control and forwarding of troops said.
MCO Howrah raised on April 29, 1957, is among the three MCOs located in Kolkata city. While MCO at Sealdah railway station also caters to the needs of the passengers of the Armed Forces, the one located at Dum Dum caters to the air transportation needs of troops and senior Armed Forces dignitaries.
Through the 23 platforms at Howrah, a number of trains originate, terminate or connect all parts of the country taking troops to their destinations, home or op locations.
Nearly a lakh troops are directly dependent on this MCO, which also supervises a large number of move of critical military stores, additional coaches, military compartment and goods. The number of troops in the coming years is only set to grow as newer military garrisons come up in the Eastern theatre.
MCO Howrah has been nominated as a centre of excellence in 2007, 2008 and 2009 in the Annual Best MCO competition on an all India basis. In the year 2011, this MCO stood 3rd in the Annual Best MCO competition.
Currently MCO Howrah is fully automated, air conditioned and functions 24X7. An indigenous software package which has been linked to a touch screen for Defence Department Quota (DDQ) for all defence passengers has been provided here.
The PNR status of every defence rail commuter can be checked on the information kiosks (touch screen) placed at the MCO counter along with relevant information of accommodation, seat availability and Indian Railways website.
Reporting by: Susanta Das
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
‘Don’t regret later’: IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma’s warning to TMC candidate sparks BJP-TMC clash
Tue, Apr 28 2026
Crackdown on D-Company: Dawood aide Salim Dola deported to India
Tue, Apr 28 2026
Midnight meal turns deadly: Mumbai family of four dies within hours, food poisoning suspected
Mon, Apr 27 2026
Rajnath Singh to lead Indian delegation at SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Bishkek
Mon, Apr 27 2026
'Had a child together, now alleges rape': SC says consensual live-in breakup is not a crime
Mon, Apr 27 2026
Faith in justice shattered’: Kejriwal boycotts Delhi HC judge who refused to recuse
Mon, Apr 27 2026
Engine fire forces SWISS flight to abort in Delhi, 6 injured
Sun, Apr 26 2026
Raghu Rai, who captured India’s soul, dies at 83
Sun, Apr 26 2026