Union Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw Announces Major Railway Expansion Initiatives for Odisha<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bhubaneswar, May 14, 2026:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Union Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw today highlighted major railway infrastructure and connectivity initiatives being undertaken across Odisha under the leadership of Hon\u2019ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Announcing the introduction of the new 18407\/18408 Puri\u2013Koraput\u2013Puri Tri-Weekly Express, Shri Vaishnaw said the service will, for the first time, provide direct rail connectivity between Puri and large parts of western and southern Odisha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The train will operate via Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Angul, Sambalpur, Bargarh Road, Balangir, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Muniguda, Rayagada, Tikiri, Laxmipur Road, Kakiriguma and Damanjodi, significantly benefiting passengers from coastal, western and southern Odisha. The service will improve connectivity for pilgrimage, tourism, education, healthcare, employment and business travel, particularly for the KBK region and tribal-dominated districts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Highlighting Odisha\u2019s railway growth, Shri Vaishnaw informed that railway projects worth nearly \u20b990,000 crore are presently under execution in the State. Key projects include the Junagarh\u2013Nabarangpur, Nabarangpur\u2013Jeypore, Jeypore\u2013Malkangiri, Bargarh\u2013Nuapada, Gunupur\u2013Therubali, Khurda Road\u2013Balangir and Bimlagarh\u2013Talcher rail line projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He stated that the long-pending Khurda Road\u2013Balangir Rail Line project is progressing rapidly and targeted for completion by 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Minister also highlighted the ongoing four lining works on the Howrah\u2013Chennai main corridor through Odisha. He stated that after completion of the new lines and major capacity enhancement works, Odisha will have the capability to run nearly 500 additional trains in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shri Vaishnaw further informed that 59 railway stations across Odisha are being redeveloped under the Amrit Station Scheme, including Bhubaneswar, Puri, Sambalpur, Berhampur, Talcher and Baripada stations. A fresh DPR is also being prepared for the proposed Puri\u2013Konark rail connectivity project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He reiterated the Government of India\u2019s commitment towards strengthening railway infrastructure and ensuring balanced regional development across Odisha.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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