Odisha’s railway network received a significant boost on Monday with the launch of two key passenger services—the daily Berhampur-Udhna (Surat) Amrit Bharat Express and the new Puri-Koraput Express. The twin initiatives are expected to improve intra-state connectivity while strengthening Odisha’s rail links with western India.
The services were inaugurated by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during separate events held at Berhampur and Puri railway stations.
Berhampur-Surat Amrit Bharat Express to Run Daily
One of the major announcements was the conversion of the Berhampur-Udhna (Surat) Amrit Bharat Express from a tri-weekly service to a daily train, fulfilling a long-standing demand of passengers travelling between Odisha and Gujarat.
The train has become an important transportation link for thousands of migrant workers, traders, students, and families, connecting Odisha with Gujarat while passing through key destinations in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra.
Railway officials said the daily operation will provide greater flexibility to passengers, reduce waiting periods, and improve travel convenience on one of the state’s busiest long-distance routes.
New Puri-Koraput Express Strengthens Intra-State Connectivity
The inauguration of the Puri-Koraput Express marks another major milestone in enhancing rail connectivity within Odisha.
The train will connect the coastal region with southern and western Odisha, passing through important stations including Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Angul, Sambalpur, Bargarh Road, Bolangir, Titilagarh, Kesinga, Muniguda, Rayagada, Kakiriguma, and Damanjodi before reaching Koraput.
The new service is expected to benefit pilgrims, tourists, students, patients, business travellers, and local residents by providing direct connectivity between several important districts of the state.
Boost to Tourism, Trade and Regional Development
Railway authorities said both services will improve passenger mobility, strengthen regional connectivity, promote tourism, facilitate trade, and support economic development across Odisha.
The additional services are also expected to ease travel demand, provide more reliable transportation options, and improve access to commercial, educational, and religious destinations within the state and beyond.
Odisha Emerging as a Growth Engine
Speaking at the inauguration, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the expansion of railway infrastructure would play a vital role in Odisha’s economic transformation.
“Odisha will also work as a growth engine, as an engine of development for a developed India. Today, if we are receiving an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore in railways in two years instead of five years, this path is opening up to make Odisha even more prosperous in the coming days,” the Chief Minister said.
Berhampur Station to Become World-Class
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the daily Amrit Bharat Express would further strengthen the long-standing connection between Berhampur and Surat, which has a large Odia migrant population.
“Since Berhampur shares a close bond with Surat, this Amrit Bharat Express will be very beneficial. Berhampur station will be developed as a world-class station. The design of this station is being finalised. The work will be carried out in two phases. All preparations for Phase 1 are complete, and we will soon perform the groundbreaking ceremony and begin construction,” Vaishnaw said.
The minister’s announcement also reaffirmed the Centre’s focus on modernising railway infrastructure in Odisha, with Berhampur set to become one of the state’s key world-class railway stations.
With the introduction of the new train services and the expansion of the Amrit Bharat Express, Indian Railways aims to offer faster, more convenient, and better-connected travel options while supporting Odisha’s growing economic and infrastructure development.
