Puri–Koraput Express flagged off: Odisha gets 5 new rail services
Synopsis
Odisha received five new or upgraded rail services in a single day — including the first-ever direct Puri–Koraput link and a daily upgrade for the Brahmapur–Surat corridor. Railway Minister Vaishnaw also announced a dedicated train for North Odisha, signalling that the state's long-underserved interior regions are finally on the network expansion map.
Key Takeaways
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the Puri–Koraput Express Special on 7 July 2025 .
The Brahmapur–Udhna (Surat) Amrit Bharat Express upgraded from tri-weekly to daily service .
The Puri–Koraput Express (Train No.
18407/18408 ) runs 3 days a week in each direction, connecting 12+ stations across coastal, western, and southern Odisha.
Vaishnaw also flagged off the Nanded–Mumbai and Tanakpur–Nanded Express trains and extended the Tanakpur–Pilibhit service to Shahjahanpur .
A new dedicated train for North Odisha was announced; launch date not yet specified.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday, 7 July 2025, jointly flagged off the inaugural Puri–Koraput Express Special from Puri Railway Station and the Brahmapur–Udhna (Surat) Amrit Bharat Express Inaugural Special from Brahmapur Railway Station, marking a significant expansion of rail connectivity across Odisha. The Brahmapur–Udhna service simultaneously transitions from a tri-weekly to a daily operation, improving travel flexibility for thousands of commuters.
New Trains Launched
The Puri–Koraput Express (Train No. 18407/18408) fulfils a long-standing demand by providing the first direct rail link between the holy city of Puri and the tribal heartland of Koraput. The service will operate from Puri on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and from Koraput on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Its detailed timetable will be notified separately, according to an official statement.
The route passes through Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Angul, Sambalpur, Bargarh Road, Balangir, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Muniguda, Rayagada, Kakiriguma, and Damanjodi, effectively stitching together coastal, western, and southern Odisha in a single corridor.
Brahmapur–Udhna Amrit Bharat Express Goes Daily
The upgrade of the Brahmapur–Udhna (Surat) Amrit Bharat Express to daily frequency is expected to benefit migrant workers, students, traders, and passengers travelling between Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. The corridor connects the state with major industrial and commercial hubs, and the increased frequency is expected to support trade, employment, and economic activity along the route.
Additional Services Flagged Off
Railway Minister Vaishnaw, participating via video conferencing from Rail Sadan, Bhubaneswar, simultaneously flagged off the Nanded–Mumbai Express and the Tanakpur–Nanded Express, and inaugurated the extension of the Tanakpur–Pilibhit train service up to Shahjahanpur. These additions reflect Indian Railways' broader push to strengthen inter-regional connectivity beyond Odisha.
North Odisha to Get Dedicated Train
In a notable announcement during the event, Vaishnaw confirmed that a new dedicated train service will be introduced for North Odisha, responding to longstanding demands for better rail access in the region. He assured that, just as rail services have been expanded across western, southern, and coastal Odisha, the northern region will receive comparable attention. No launch date was specified.
Broader Significance
Officials framed the launches as part of the vision of Viksit Odisha and Viksit Bharat, arguing that improved rail access strengthens tourism, healthcare access, education, and commerce simultaneously. This comes amid heightened rail activity in the state ahead of the Ratha Yatra festival season, with Indian Railways reportedly putting in place enhanced passenger arrangements. The cumulative expansion positions Odisha as one of the more actively served states in the current railway expansion cycle.
Point of View
However, is whether tri-weekly frequency is adequate for the demand it is meant to serve; comparable new routes have seen poor utilisation when frequency is too low to compete with road transport. The North Odisha announcement, made without a timeline, follows a familiar pattern of political assurances at launch events. Odisha's rail density still trails the national average, and one dedicated train — details unspecified — will not close that gap on its own.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Puri–Koraput Express and when did it launch?
The Puri–Koraput Express (Train No. 18407/18408) is a new rail service providing the first direct connection between the pilgrim city of Puri and the tribal district of Koraput in Odisha. It was inaugurated on 7 July 2025 by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
How frequently will the Puri–Koraput Express run?
The train will depart from Puri on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and from Koraput on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays — making it a tri-weekly service in each direction. The detailed timetable is to be notified separately by Indian Railways.
What changed for the Brahmapur–Udhna Amrit Bharat Express?
The Brahmapur–Udhna (Surat) Amrit Bharat Express was upgraded from a tri-weekly to a daily service, significantly improving travel options for workers, students, and traders commuting between Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
Which other trains were launched at the same event?
Railway Minister Vaishnaw simultaneously flagged off the Nanded–Mumbai Express and the Tanakpur–Nanded Express via video conferencing, and inaugurated the extension of the Tanakpur–Pilibhit train service to Shahjahanpur.
What was announced for North Odisha?
Railway Minister Vaishnaw announced that a new dedicated train service will be introduced for North Odisha to address the region's connectivity needs. No specific launch date or route details were disclosed at the event.
