Bhubaneswar, 06 July (H.S.): In a significant development aimed at strengthening rail infrastructure and improving passenger services in Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT Ashwini Vaishnaw jointly flagged off two major train services on Monday — the Puri–Koraput Inaugural Special and the Brahmapur–Udhna (Surat) Amrit Bharat Inaugural Special.
The flag-off ceremonies were held at Puri and Brahmapur railway stations respectively, marking an important milestone in expanding rail connectivity across coastal, western, and southern Odisha. Senior officials from Indian Railways, the East Coast Railway, and the state administration were present on the occasion.
According to an official statement issued by the East Coast Railway, the introduction of these services will significantly enhance intra-state and inter-state connectivity, while also contributing to tourism, trade, employment generation, and overall socio-economic development. The regular schedule of the Puri–Koraput Express will be announced separately.
The Puri–Koraput Express (Train Nos. 18407/18408) marks a long-awaited direct rail link between the holy city of Puri and the tribal-dominated region of Koraput. The train is expected to serve a wide range of passengers, including pilgrims, tourists, students, patients, business travellers, and local residents.
By connecting key destinations such as Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Angul, Sambalpur, Bargarh Road, Balangir, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Muniguda, Rayagada, Kakiriguma, and Damanjodi, the service is set to significantly improve accessibility across Odisha’s diverse geographical regions.
The train will operate from Puri on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and from Koraput on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, offering improved travel flexibility. Officials noted that the service fulfills a long-standing public demand for seamless connectivity between coastal Odisha and the state’s southern tribal belt.
The East Coast Railway highlighted that the service will also improve access to key religious sites, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and commercial hubs, thereby enhancing regional integration and mobility.
The Brahmapur–Udhna (Surat) Amrit Bharat Express, which currently operates on a tri-weekly basis, has emerged as a crucial rail link between Odisha and Gujarat. The train connects multiple states, including Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, facilitating the movement of workers, students, and business communities.
The decision to upgrade the service to a daily operation is expected to significantly enhance passenger convenience and mobility, while strengthening economic and commercial linkages between eastern and western India.
Officials stated that the expanded service will also support industrial and employment hubs along its route, enabling smoother workforce migration and improved logistics for small traders and businesses.
Both train services reaffirm Indian Railways’ commitment to expanding connectivity, improving passenger convenience, and supporting balanced regional development. The initiatives are aligned with the broader vision of a “Developed Odisha” and “Developed India,” with a strong focus on inclusive growth.
The enhanced connectivity is expected to boost tourism circuits, improve access to healthcare and education, and create new livelihood opportunities across multiple sectors. Railway officials emphasized that such infrastructure expansion plays a key role in integrating remote and tribal regions into the mainstream economy.
Rath Yatra Preparedness Reviewed in Puri
In a related development, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, reviewed Indian Railways’ preparedness for the upcoming Rath Yatra in Puri. The review focused on ensuring safe, efficient, and comfortable travel arrangements for the lakhs of devotees expected to participate in the annual festival.
The Minister assessed key operational aspects, including crowd management, passenger flow, safety protocols, and railway coordination with local authorities. Senior railway officials briefed the delegation on integrated arrangements and detailed operational plans for smooth festival management.
This year, Indian Railways is planning to operate more than 300 special trains to manage the anticipated surge in passenger traffic. Dedicated holding areas for over 30,000 passengers, additional ticket counters, enhanced food arrangements, and improved passenger amenities are being set up in and around Puri to ensure a seamless travel experience.
Vaishnaw also inspected station facilities and reviewed measures taken to enhance passenger convenience, safety infrastructure, and operational efficiency during the high-demand festival period.
Officials noted that the coordinated efforts between the central government, Indian Railways, and the Odisha government reflect a strong institutional commitment to ensuring safe and well-managed mass mobility during one of India’s largest religious gatherings.
Koraput Coffee and Regional Development Linkage
On the sidelines of the railway initiatives, the significance of improved connectivity was also highlighted in the context of Koraput Coffee, a premium tribal-grown product that has gained national recognition.
Cultivated in the Eastern Ghats of Koraput, the coffee is primarily shade-grown Arabica, produced by tribal farmers using sustainable agricultural practices. Known for its distinctive chocolate and nutty flavour profile, Koraput Coffee has emerged as a symbol of successful tribal entrepreneurship and environmental conservation.
Thousands of tribal farmers and women are involved in its cultivation, processing, packaging, and marketing, generating sustainable livelihoods while preserving biodiversity in the region.
Officials noted that the launch of the Puri–Koraput Express will further strengthen market access for such local products by improving connectivity between Koraput and major commercial centres across Odisha and beyond. Enhanced rail infrastructure is expected to support value addition, promote tourism, and expand economic opportunities for tribal communities.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
