Bhubaneswar, July 6: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw jointly flagged off the new Puri–Koraput–Puri train service at Puri Railway Station on Monday.
The launch marks a significant step towards improving rail connectivity between coastal, western, and southern Odisha.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the Chief Minister said that India is witnessing a transformative era under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He stated that remarkable progress has been achieved across sectors, including roads, railways, and aviation, contributing to the vision of a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India).
Majhi praised Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for his key role in strengthening the country's railway infrastructure. He described the inauguration of the new train ahead of the annual Rath Yatra as a valuable gift for devotees visiting Lord Jagannath.
The new train will operate three days a week, connecting eastern, western, and southern Odisha.
The Chief Minister said the service would greatly benefit pilgrims travelling to Puri and people visiting Bhubaneswar for work or other purposes, making travel more convenient and comfortable.
Highlighting railway development in Odisha, Majhi said railway projects worth ₹97,000 crore are currently under implementation in the state.
He also noted that 59 railway stations are being modernised under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, including the redevelopment of Puri Railway Station at a cost of ₹184 crore. Designed to reflect Puri's cultural and spiritual heritage, the station redevelopment project is expected to be completed next year.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw thanked the Chief Minister for attending the event and said the demand for better rail connectivity between coastal, western, and southern Odisha had existed for many years. He revealed that the Chief Minister had also requested the new service through a formal letter.
Vaishnaw said the newly launched train would connect several districts of Odisha with Puri, improving access for passengers across the state. He recalled the Centre's commitment to invest ₹1 lakh crore in Odisha's railway infrastructure over five years, adding that investments have already reached ₹97,000 crore within two years.
The Railway Minister further said that, similar to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Golden Quadrilateral highway project, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned a railway "Golden Quadrilateral" to strengthen rail connectivity across the country.
Responding to the Chief Minister's request, Vaishnaw also announced that a new train service for North Odisha would soon be introduced, similar to the newly launched Puri–Koraput service.
Odisha Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Jena welcomed the initiative, stating that the train would bridge the gap between the state's interior regions and the coast.
He said the rapid progress in railway development reflects the effectiveness of coordinated efforts between the Central and State governments.
Puri MP Sambit Patra thanked both the Chief Minister and the Union Railway Minister for introducing the new service.
He also said that extensive arrangements are being made at Puri Railway Station for the upcoming Rath Yatra and informed that around 300 special trains will be operated during the festival to facilitate the movement of pilgrims.
