Bhubaneswar, July 5:Odisha Chief MinisterMohan Charan Majhi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will jointly flag off two major railway services on Monday, marking a significant milestone in enhancing rail connectivity and passenger convenience in Odisha.
The dignitaries will inaugurate the Puri–Koraput Express Inaugural Special from Puri Railway Station and the Brahmapur–Udhna (Surat) Amrit Bharat Express Inaugural Special from Brahmapur Railway Station. The latter will also mark the conversion of the existing tri-weekly service into a daily train.
The two services are expected to strengthen connectivity within Odisha and between Odisha and western India, while boosting tourism, trade, employment opportunities and regional socio-economic development. The regular timetable of the Puri–Koraput Express will be announced separately.
The introduction of the Puri–Koraput Express fulfils a long-pending demand for direct rail connectivity between the pilgrim city of Puri and the tribal-dominated Koraput region. The service will benefit pilgrims, tourists, students, patients, traders and residents by improving access to religious destinations, educational institutions, healthcare facilities and commercial hubs across the state.
The inaugural special marks the launch of the regular Train No. 18407/18408 Puri–Koraput–Puri Express. The train will operate via Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Angul, Sambalpur, Bargarh Road, Balangir, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Muniguda, Rayagada, Kakiriguma and Damanjodi, further strengthening rail connectivity between coastal, western and southern Odisha.
According to the proposed schedule, the train will depart from Puri on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while return services from Koraput will operate on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, offering convenient travel options for passengers across the region.
Meanwhile, the Brahmapur–Udhna (Surat) Amrit Bharat Express, which currently runs three days a week, has become an important rail link connecting Odisha with Gujarat while serving key destinations across Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Its conversion into a daily service is expected to significantly improve passenger convenience and provide greater flexibility for travel.
The enhanced frequency will facilitate the movement of migrant workers, students, traders and other passengers, while strengthening connectivity between major industrial, commercial and employment centres. It is also expected to support trade, business activities and workforce mobility across the states served by the train.
The launch of these services reflects Indian Railways' continued commitment to expanding rail infrastructure, improving passenger services and promoting balanced regional development. The initiatives are expected to provide a major boost to tourism, commerce, education, healthcare access and economic growth, contributing to the vision of aViksit OdishaandViksit Bharat.
