Bhubaneswar: In a major boost to rail connectivity across Odisha, the Ministry of Railways has approved a new tri-weekly express train between the Holy City of Puri and Koraput via Sambalpur.  

The new train, Puri–Koraput–Puri Express (18407/18408), will have stoppages at important stations including Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Dhenkanal, Talcher Road, Angul, Boinda, Rairakhol, Sambalpur, Bargarh Road, Balangir, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Muniguda, Rayagada, Tikiri, Laxmipur Road, Kakiriguma and Damanjodi.

The train will pass through 11 districts

The train will pass through and benefit passengers from major districts including Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Angul, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Balangir, Kalahandi, Rayagada and Koraput. It will particularly strengthen connectivity to KBK region districts and improve access to important educational, medical and administrative centres of the state.

The introduction of this train fulfills a long-standing aspiration of the people of several underserved regions of Odisha for a direct and convenient rail link between Puri, Bhubaneswar and the tribal dominated districts of southern Odisha. The train will provide much needed connectivity for passengers travelling for pilgrimage, education, healthcare, employment, tourism and business purposes, said the state government.

Odisha CM thanks PM and Rail Minister

The new train is expected to significantly enhance regional integration and socio-economic development by improving mobility between coastal Odisha and the interior districts of western and southern Odisha. The service will also provide seamless connectivity for pilgrims visiting Jagannath Temple and tourists travelling to the scenic and tribal regions of Koraput and Rayagada, it added.

The train bearing no. 18407 will run from Puri to Koraput on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. It will leave the Holy City at 7 am and reach Koraput at 11.30 pm

From Koraput side, the train bearing no 18408 will run on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. It will leave Koraput at 5 am and reach Puri at 10.20 pm, said the Railways.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, meanwhile, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for approving the new train between Puri and Koraput.