Bhubaneswar, July 7: The services of the newly launched Puri-Koraput-Puri, Tri-Weekly Express have been regularised. The train will be on regular run from Puri station on July 11 on every Monday, Thursday and Saturday while the service will commence from Koraput on July 12 on every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

The train was flagged off by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at Puri Railway Station on Monday.

According to an East Coast Railway (ECoR) release, the train No. 18407 Puri–Koraput, Tri-Weekly Express will commence service from 11th July, on every Monday, Thursday and Saturday. The train will depart from Puri at 07:00 hrs and reach Koraput at 23:30 hrs on the same day. Similarly, Train No. 18408 Koraput–Puri Tri-Weekly Express will commence service from 12th July, on every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. It will depart from Koraput at 05:00 hrs in the morning and arrive at Puri at 22:20 hrs on the same day

The train will halt at several important stations including Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Naraj Marthapur, Dhenkanal, Talcher Road, Angul, Boinda, Rairakhol, Sambalpur, Bargarh Road, Balangir, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Muniguda, Rayagada, Tikiri, Laxmipur Road, Kakiriguma and Damanjodi, thereby providing improved connectivity to passengers from central, western and southern Odisha.

The train will comprise 18 modern LHB coaches, including one AC Two-Tier Coach, three numbers of  AC Three Tier Coaches, eight Sleeper Class Coaches, four general Class Coaches, one Second Class-cum-Luggage Brake Van and one second class luggage & Divyang friendly coach, ensuring comfortable and safe travel for passengers across different travel classes.

The introduction of the Puri–Koraput Tri-Weekly Express marks another important step by Indian Railways towards enhancing passenger amenities and expanding rail connectivity in Odisha. The new service is expected to facilitate tourism, pilgrimage, trade, education and socio economic development by providing faster and more convenient transportation between the coastal and southern regions of the state.

ECoR said that passengers can take the advantage of the newly introduced 18407/18408 Puri–Koraput–Puri Tri-Weekly Express, which offers convenient and direct connectivity between coastal and southern Odisha.