Bhubaneswar: The Centre has approved an express train connecting Puri with Badampahar in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district.

Honouring the long-standing demands of the locals, the Railway Board has given its nod to Puri-Badampahar Express, reports said.

The express train will operate daily with nine LHB coaches. It will make stoppages at 19 stations including Rairangpur, Keonjhar, Sukinda and Bhubaneswar, they added.

The new rail service will strengthen connectivity across six districts—Puri, Khordha, Cuttack, Jajpur, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj—bringing greater convenience and opportunities for the people of the state, said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in a social media post on Wednesday.  

The Chief Minister, meanwhile, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for approving the express train between Puri and Badampahar.

“Heartfelt gratitude to Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji and Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Ji for approving the Puri-Rairangpur-Badampahar Express via Keonjhra, Sukinda, Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the people of Odisha,” said the Chief Minister.