Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday announced a series of austerity measures in response to the oil crisis triggered by the ongoing situation in West Asia.
In a statement shared by the Chief Minister’s Office, the chief minister welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for austerity and said the state government would prioritise national interest during the challenging global situation.
As part of the initiative, Majhi immediately reduced the number of vehicles in his personal security convoy by half. In a post on X, he also appealed to people across Odisha to adopt measures aimed at conserving fuel and practising financial restraint.
The CM urged citizens to make greater use of public transport instead of personal vehicles. He also advised people to avoid unnecessary fuel consumption and use vehicles only when essential.
In addition, Majhi appealed to citizens to avoid unnecessary foreign travel and refrain from purchasing gold in view of the prevailing economic and geopolitical uncertainty linked to the West Asia crisis.
The statement stressed that collective discipline and responsible public behaviour were necessary to safeguard the nation’s economic stability during adverse circumstances.
Meanwhile, Majhi also highlighted the rapid transformation and expansion of the state’s railway infrastructure, with the approval of the new Puri–Koraput Express emerging as a major milestone in regional connectivity.
According to the state government, the new train service is expected to strengthen links between coastal, western, and southern Odisha, while improving travel for passengers, pilgrims, and tourists.
The Puri–Koraput Express will operate three days a week and run through key districts, including Sambalpur, before reaching Koraput.
Train number 18407 will depart from Puri on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, while train number 18408 will depart from Koraput on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
The train will halt at 19 stations, including Khordha Road, Bhubaneswar, Naraj-Marathapur, Dhenkanal, Talcher Road, Angul, Boinda, Rhedakhol, Sambalpur, Bargarh Road, Balangir, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Muniguda, Rayagada, Tikiri, Lakshmipur Road, Kakirigumma, and Damanjodi.
Majhi thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for supporting railway infrastructure growth and connectivity projects across the state.
