Bhubaneswar: To cater to the festive rush of passengers, Indian Railways has announced the operation of several Weekly Special Trains connecting Odisha with major destinations including Hyderabad, Chennai, Trivandrum, Madurai and Barauni. The services will run till November to ensure comfortable travel during the festive season.
One of the key services is the Hyderabad–Bhubaneswar New–Hyderabad Weekly Special (07165/07166). Train No. 07165 will leave Hyderabad every Tuesday at 17:30 hrs till October 28, while the return service (07166) will depart Bhubaneswar New every Wednesday at 22:30 hrs till October 29. The train will halt at major stations including Secunderabad, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Vizianagaram, Brahmapur and Khurda Road.
Similarly, the MGR Chennai Central–Barauni–MGR Chennai Central Special (06039/06040) will run via Odisha, with stoppages at Bhubaneswar New, Cuttack, Bhadrak and Baleswar. The train will leave Chennai every Sunday at 23:50 hrs till November 30, and the return train will leave Barauni every Wednesday at 21:00 hrs till December 3.
The Trivandrum North–Santragachi–Trivandrum North Weekly Special (06081/06082) will also serve Odisha, halting at Bhubaneswar New, Cuttack, Bhadrak and Baleswar. Train No. 06081 will leave Trivandrum every Friday at 16:20 hrs till October 17, while the return train (06082) will depart Santragachi every Monday at 14:20 hrs till October 20.
Another major connection is the Madurai–Barauni–Madurai Weekly Special (06059/06060). Train No. 06059 will depart Madurai at 20:40 hrs on Wednesdays till November 26, while the return train (06060) will leave Barauni at 23:00 hrs on Saturdays till November 29. It will also stop at Bhubaneswar New, Cuttack, Bhadrak and Baleswar en route.
Railways officials said these special trains have been introduced to provide relief to passengers and to ease congestion during the festive season when the demand for travel spikes across Odisha and beyond.
