Bhubaneswar: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) on Sunday announced the inauguration of two new express train services on July 6, 2026 (Monday), aimed at strengthening rail connectivity within Odisha and between Odisha and western India.
According to a notification issued by the Office of the Chief Public Relations Officer of East Coast Railway, the Railway Ministry will flag off the inaugural runs of the Brahmapur–Surat (Udhna) Amrit Bharat Express and the Puri–Koraput Express in separate ceremonies.
The Brahmapur–Surat (Udhna) Amrit Bharat Express, a daily service, will be flagged off from Brahmapur Railway Station at 4:00 PM. The event will be attended by Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi. The new service is expected to significantly improve long-distance connectivity between southern Odisha and Gujarat.
In a separate event earlier the same day at 12:00 noon, the Puri–Koraput Express will be inaugurated from Puri Railway Station. The train is designed to enhance intra-state connectivity, linking key districts across Odisha, including Khordha Road, Bhubaneswar, Anugola, Sambalpur, Balangir, and stations in the Koraput region such as Damanjodi and Lakshmipur Road.
The inaugural service will be ceremonially welcomed at multiple en-route stations, reflecting its importance for regional integration and passenger mobility across the state.
