Odisha to get three more Vande Bharat Express trains from Sept 15

Bhubaneswar, Sept 11: The Indian Railways announced on Tuesday that three additional Vande Bharat Express trains will start operating through Odisha from September 15, boosting connectivity in the region. The East Coast Railway (ECoR) provided further details, stating that the new routes include Tata-Berhampur, Rourkela-Howrah, and Durg-Visakhapatnam.

Currently, three Vande Bharat Express trains pass through Odisha, and the addition of these new services will bring the total to six, according to ECoR officials. These trains are part of the 10 Vande Bharat services scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 15.

New Routes for Vande Bharat Express: The three new trains—Tata-Berhampur, Rourkela-Howrah, and Durg-Visakhapatnam—will enhance regional connectivity, making travel faster and more convenient for passengers across these key destinations.

Launch Date and Timing: While the official launch of these trains is set for September 15, Indian Railways has yet to announce the exact timings.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi received a formal invitation from Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to attend the inauguration event at Berhampur Railway Station on September 15. ECoR General Manager Parameswar Funkwal personally handed over the invitation to the chief minister at his office in the State Assembly.

In response, CM Majhi expressed gratitude to the Railway Minister for the invitation and acknowledged the Centre’s continued support in developing Odisha’s railway infrastructure. The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) issued a statement highlighting the Union Government’s budgetary allocation of Rs 10,586 crore for Odisha’s railway development in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

These new Vande Bharat trains are expected to significantly enhance the state’s connectivity, promoting economic growth and ease of travel for both residents and visitors alike.