Bhubaneswar: The Indian railways converted 2 special trains into regular trains to connect Baripada in Mayurbhanj district with Puri and Kolkata. These trains are the Bhanjpur-Puri special train and the Shalimar-Bhanjpur special train. The trains are currently running temporarily for a certain period.Regularisation of trains will ensure that the services continue like other major express and superfast trains. Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for approving regularisation of the trains.
“This important decision will strengthen rail connectivity across Odisha, benefiting the people of Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts with improved access to Bhubaneswar and Puri, while boosting mobility, tourism and regional development,” said Majhi on his X handle.He said these decisions will significantly strengthen rail connectivity across Odisha, benefiting passengers in north and coastal districts with improved accessibility, faster travel and enhanced convenience. “Committed to building stronger connectivity for a Viksit Odisha,” he added.The Bhanjpur-Puri special train (08011) now starts at 11.10 pm on Thursday and Saturday and reaches Puri at 5.50 am the day after. Similarly, the return train, the Puri-Bhanjpur special (08012), will start from Puri at 11.50 pm on Friday and Sunday, and reach Bhanjpur, 4 km from Baripada station, at 6.50 am, the day after.Currently, the Shalimar-Bhanjpur special (08007) departs Shalimar at 4.25 pm on Thursday and Saturday and reaches Bhanjpur at 9.30 pm the same day. Its pairing train leaves Bhanjpur at 9.15 am on Monday and Saturday and arrives at Shalimar at 3.30 pm on the same day.The railways is yet to come up with a revised timeline for the new trains. It did not notify the official dates for starting these trains. The CM also thanked the PM and railway minister for introducing the Shalimar–Charlapalli service as an Amrit Bharat Express. “Enhanced stoppages at key stations, including Jaleswar, Basta, Rupsa, Baripada, Berhampur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Balasore and others will boost regional mobility, trade and tourism,” he added.
