BHUBANESWAR, Pratiphalan media
India has unveiled an ambitious railway expansion programme for the eastern State of Odisha, with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announcing infrastructure and connectivity projects worth nearly ₹90,000 crore currently under implementation.
A major highlight of the announcement is the introduction of the new 18407/18408 Puri–Koraput–Puri Tri-Weekly Express, which will for the first time establish direct rail connectivity between the pilgrim city of Puri on the Bay of Bengal coast and the tribal-dominated regions of southern Odisha.
Describing the development as a transformative step for regional integration, Mr. Vaishnaw said the train would connect Shrikhetra Puri Dham — home to the world-famous Jagannath Temple — with Sabara Shrikhetra Koraput, a region known for its rich tribal heritage and spiritual significance.
The train will run through key urban and semi-urban centres including Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Angul, Sambalpur, Bargarh Road, Balangir, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Muniguda, Rayagada, Tikiri, Laxmipur Road, Kakiriguma and Damanjodi.
Officials said the service is expected to improve mobility for pilgrims, tourists, students, patients, traders and job seekers, especially in Odisha’s KBK region, historically considered one of the country’s most underdeveloped areas.
Highlighting the rapid pace of railway modernisation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Minister said several strategic rail line projects are progressing across Odisha. These include the Junagarh–Nabarangpur, Nabarangpur–Jeypore, Jeypore–Malkangiri, Bargarh–Nuapada, Gunupur–Therubali, Khurda Road–Balangir and Bimlagarh–Talcher projects.
According to Mr. Vaishnaw, the long-delayed Khurda Road–Balangir Rail Line project has gained momentum and is targeted for completion by 2027.
He also highlighted the ongoing four-line expansion works on the Howrah–Chennai main railway corridor traversing Odisha. Once completed, the enhanced infrastructure is expected to increase network capacity substantially, enabling the operation of nearly 500 additional trains in the future.
As part of India’s broader railway modernisation initiative, 59 stations across Odisha are currently being redeveloped under the Amrit Station Scheme. Major stations covered under the programme include Bhubaneswar, Puri, Sambalpur, Berhampur, Talcher and Baripada.
The Minister further stated that a fresh Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being prepared for the proposed Puri–Konark railway connectivity project, aimed at strengthening tourism infrastructure along Odisha’s heritage corridor.
Reaffirming the Government of India’s commitment to balanced regional growth, Mr. Vaishnaw said the railway expansion initiatives are intended to accelerate economic development, improve connectivity and integrate remote regions more closely with national growth corridors.