Berhampur MP Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy has urged Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to extend the Bhubaneswar–Dhanbad Express service up to Brahmapur railway station, aiming to improve rail connectivity for passengers from southern Odisha, particularly the Ganjam district.
In a formal representation submitted to the Railway Ministry, the MP highlighted the growing demand for a direct long-distance rail link connecting Brahmapur with important cities in Jharkhand and western Odisha. He stated that extending the train beyond Bhubaneswar would significantly benefit thousands of passengers from the region who currently face travel inconvenience due to the absence of a direct service.
Focus on Medical, Employment and Tourism Connectivity
Panigrahy pointed out that a large number of people from Ganjam and nearby districts travel regularly to Bokaro, Ranchi and Dhanbad for employment, education and medical purposes. He noted that the proposed extension would especially help patients and families travelling to the Central Institute of Psychiatry in Ranchi, one of the country’s premier mental healthcare institutions.
The MP also stressed that the move could strengthen tourism connectivity in southern Odisha. Popular tourist destinations such as Chilika Lake and Gopalpur-on-Sea are expected to receive improved tourist inflow if the train service is extended to Brahmapur, which is often referred to as the “Silk City” of Odisha.
Train Recently Converted Into Regular Daily Service
The Bhubaneswar–Dhanbad Express was recently converted from a special train into a regular daily service in March this year. The train currently covers around 776 kilometres in nearly 14 hours and 35 minutes, connecting several important cities across Odisha and Jharkhand.
At present, the train operates from Bhubaneswar railway station and passes through major stations including Cuttack Junction railway station, Angul railway station, Sambalpur City railway station, Rourkela Junction railway station, Ranchi Junction railway station and Bokaro Steel City railway station before reaching Dhanbad Junction railway station.
According to the present schedule, the train departs from Bhubaneswar at 8:25 PM and reaches Dhanbad at around 11:00 AM the following day.
Demand for Better Rail Infrastructure in Southern Odisha
The demand for extending the train to Brahmapur has gained momentum in recent months as residents and railway users from southern Odisha continue seeking better long-distance rail connectivity. Railway passengers from Ganjam district have repeatedly highlighted the need for direct train services to Jharkhand and industrial regions to reduce dependency on connecting trains and road travel.
Panigrahy expressed hope that the Railway Ministry would positively consider the proposal in the interest of passenger convenience and regional development. If approved, the extension is expected to improve mobility, support economic activity and strengthen transport infrastructure in southern Odisha.
