By JB Dash, Baripada: The historic Mayurbhanj State Rest House at Rupsa, built during the reign of Maharaja Sri Ramchandra Bhanj Deo, is in a state of neglect and urgently requires renovation to prevent further deterioration.
The narrow-gauge railway line laid by the Maharaja in 1905–06, connecting Talbandh at the foothills of Similipal with Rupsa junction, marked a major milestone in railway expansion in the region. The line connected with the broad-gauge network at Rupsa and was converted into broad gauge by the Government of India in 2006.
During the same period, Maharaja Sri Ramchandra Bhanj Deo also constructed the State Rest House at Rupsa junction. The facility was intended for use by members of the royal family, state officials, visiting dignitaries, and the general public. The late Laxminarayan Dash, a noted state darwari singer and later a recognised All India Radio (AIR), Kolkata artiste, had earlier recalled that the Maharaja frequently used the rest house while travelling between Baripada and Calcutta.
According to Dash, the Maharaja travelled in his special royal salon from Baripada to Rupsa and often stayed at the rest house due to infrequent train services at the time. He sometimes waited for hours or even days to board trains to Calcutta. During these stays, the rest house was fully staffed with chefs, caretakers, and attendants. The rest house also served as a transit point for the Maharaja and his entourage during journeys to and from Calcutta, Bombay, and the Madras Presidency.
The rest house was also used as a halt for the Maharaja’s foreign travels to countries such as London and Japan, where he attended royal and diplomatic summits.
Spread over nearly two acres of land at Bamada village on the Mayurbhanj side, adjoining the Rupsa broad-gauge railway line, the rest house later served South Eastern Railway (SER) officials for several decades. However, the heritage structure is now heavily encroached upon and in a dilapidated condition due to prolonged neglect.
Chandrasekhar Rout, the present caretaker of the rest house employed by SER, said that after the broad-gauge expansion linking Bangriposi to Rupsa, the rest house became more visible, but its surrounding areas gradually turned into dumping grounds due to increased passenger movement and lack of maintenance.
In recent years, railway authorities have constructed a boundary wall and installed locked gates to prevent further encroachment, though the eastern side of the boundary wall remains incomplete. There is also no signboard identifying the structure as the Mayurbhanj State Rest House or acknowledging Maharaja Sri Ramchandra Bhanj Deo as its founder.
Raising concern over the condition of the heritage site, Ranjan Mohapatra, convenor of the Mayurbhanj Forum, has submitted a memorandum to the Union Railway Ministry demanding immediate renovation of the rest house and installation of a proper signboard. The demand was made in connection with the birth anniversary of Maharaja Sri Ramchandra Bhanj Deo on December 17, 1871, to protect the historic monument from further decay.
