Bhubaneswar: In view of the upcoming world-renowned Rath Yatra festival in Puri, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has announced extensive arrangements to facilitate seamless travel for pilgrims and visitors from Odisha and neighboring states. A record 365 special trains will operate during the Rath Yatra 2025 period, in addition to the regular services.
These special trains will run from various parts of the state, with particular focus on major festival days. Key departure points include Rourkela, Biramitrapur, Bangiriposi, Junagarh Road, Badampahar, Boudh, Jagdalpur, Balasore, Angul, Gunupur, Rayagada, Paradeep, Bhadrak, Kendujhar, Daspalla, Khurda Road, Sambalpur, Talcher, Cuttack, Brahmapur, Dhenkanal, Barbil, Palasa, as well as Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), Gondia (Chhattisgarh), and Santragachhi (West Bengal).
This expanded rail connectivity aims to manage the substantial influx of pilgrims while easing travel for residents of remote and interior districts.
Special services will also run on other festival days, except Gundicha Yatra, Sandhya Darshan, Bahuda Yatra, and Suna Besha. Dedicated trains will originate from key locations such as Rourkela, Badampahar, Biramitrapur, Bangiriposi, Balasore, Barbil, Angul, Paradeep, Bhadrak, Kendujhar, Palasa, Daspalla, and Khurda Road, along with Gondia, Santragachhi, and Visakhapatnam.
This year’s arrangements mark a notable increase from the 315 special trains operated during Rath Yatra 2024, reflecting ECoR’s commitment to ensuring safe, comfortable, and efficient travel for devotees during Odisha’s most celebrated spiritual festival.
Passengers are urged to check train schedules and ticket availability via official railway websites and stay informed through public announcements as the festival dates approach.
