Bhubaneswar: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday highlighted major railway infrastructure and connectivity initiatives being undertaken across Odisha under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including the introduction of a new tri-weekly train connecting Puri with western and southern parts of the State.
Announcing the launch of the 18407/18408 Puri–Koraput–Puri Tri-Weekly Express, Vaishnaw said the new service would, for the first time, provide direct rail connectivity between Puri and large parts of western and southern Odisha.
The train will run via Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Angul, Sambalpur, Bargarh Road, Balangir, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Muniguda, Rayagada, Tikiri, Laxmipur Road, Kakiriguma and Damanjodi, benefiting passengers from coastal, western and southern Odisha alike.
According to the Railway Minister, the service is expected to significantly improve connectivity for pilgrimage, tourism, education, healthcare, employment and business travel, particularly for the KBK region and tribal-dominated districts of the State.
Highlighting Odisha’s railway growth, Vaishnaw informed that railway projects worth nearly ₹90,000 crore are currently under execution across the State. Key projects include the Junagarh–Nabarangpur, Nabarangpur–Jeypore, Jeypore–Malkangiri, Bargarh–Nuapada, Gunupur–Therubali, Khurda Road–Balangir and Bimlagarh–Talcher rail line projects.
He said the long-pending Khurda Road–Balangir Rail Line project is progressing rapidly and has been targeted for completion by 2027.
The Minister also highlighted the ongoing four-laning and capacity enhancement works on the Howrah–Chennai main railway corridor passing through Odisha. He stated that once the new lines and associated infrastructure works are completed, Odisha would have the capability to operate nearly 500 additional trains in the future.
Vaishnaw further informed that 59 railway stations across Odisha are being redeveloped under the Amrit Station Scheme, including stations at Bhubaneswar, Puri, Sambalpur, Berhampur, Talcher and Baripada.
He added that a fresh detailed project report (DPR) is also being prepared for the proposed Puri–Konark rail connectivity project.
Reiterating the Centre’s commitment towards strengthening railway infrastructure in Odisha, Vaishnaw said the initiatives are aimed at ensuring balanced regional development and improving connectivity across all parts of the State.
