Bhubaneswar: Odisha received a major boost to its railway network on Monday as Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi flagged off two new train services and announced key railway infrastructure projects.
The CM flagged off the inaugural Puri–Koraput Express Special from Puri Railway Station, while the railway minister inaugurated the Brahmapur–Udhna (Surat) Amrit Bharat Express Special from Brahmapur Railway Station. The Brahmapur–Udhna service has been upgraded from a tri-weekly to a daily operation, fulfilling a long-standing public demand.
From Rail Sadan in Bhubaneswar, Vaishnaw also flagged off the Nanded–Mumbai Express and Tanakpur–Nanded Express through video conferencing. He also inaugurated the extension of the Tanakpur–Pilibhit train service up to Shahjahanpur.
CM Majhi and the railway minister later inspected the ongoing redevelopment of Puri Railway Station under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. They also reviewed preparations for the ongoing Rath Yatra, assessing station modernisation and arrangements for the safe and smooth movement of lakhs of devotees visiting Puri.
Vaishnaw conducted a detailed review of crowd management, passenger movement, operational readiness, and passenger amenities. Senior railway officials presented the integrated operational plan and informed the dignitaries that Indian Railways will operate more than 300 special trains during the Rath Yatra.
Officials said holding areas with a capacity of over 30,000 devotees have been created. Ticketing counters have been increased, food distribution arrangements strengthened, and additional safety measures and passenger amenities put in place to ensure a smooth pilgrimage experience.
The newly introduced Puri–Koraput Express fulfils a long-pending demand by providing direct rail connectivity between the pilgrimage city of Puri and the tribal district of Koraput. The train is expected to benefit pilgrims, tourists, students, patients, traders, and local communities.
The service will connect Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Angul, Sambalpur, Bargarh Road, Balangir, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Muniguda, Rayagada, Kakiriguma and Damanjodi, linking coastal, western and southern Odisha.
The inaugural service marks the commencement of regular Train No. 18407/18408 Puri–Koraput–Puri Express. The train will depart from Puri on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while return services from Koraput will operate on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Detailed timings will be announced separately.
The Brahmapur–Udhna (Surat) Amrit Bharat Express, connecting Odisha with Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Gujarat, has become an important transport link for migrant workers, students, traders and other passengers. Its daily operation is expected to improve travel flexibility and further support trade, employment, and economic activity.
At Brahmapur, Vaishnaw announced that Brahmapur Railway Station will be redeveloped into a world-class facility under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme at an estimated cost of around Rs 300 crore. The upgraded station will feature modern passenger amenities, contemporary architecture, improved accessibility and seamless multimodal connectivity. Vaishnaw also said he would return to Brahmapur for the foundation stone laying ceremony.
The railway minister further announced that North Odisha will get a new train service to improve railway connectivity in the region. He said the initiative responds to a long-standing public demand and follows the expansion of rail services across western, southern, and coastal Odisha.
Vaishnaw reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to expanding railway infrastructure across Odisha, ensuring balanced regional development and improved passenger services while advancing the vision of ‘Viksit Odisha’ and ‘Viksit Bharat’.
