365 special trains to run for Puri Rath Yatra 2025; details here

To ensure smooth travel for devotees during the annual Puri Rath Yatra this year, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) will operate at least 365 special trains. These trains will connect almost every region of Odisha and key locations in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal, the ECoR sources said on Sunday.

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This initiative is part of a comprehensive travel and logistics support plan to ensure seamless transportation during one of the largest religious gatherings in the country.

The special trains will run from almost all corners of Odisha, offering enhanced connectivity for thousands of devotees traveling to Puri during the Rath Yatra. Additionally, the services will extend to neighboring states such as Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal, ensuring interstate travel convenience.

Major originating stations include Rourkela, Biramitrapur, Bangiriposi, Junagarh Road, Badampahar, Boudh, Jagdalpur, Baleswar, Angul, Gunupur, Rayagada, Paradeep, Bhadrak, Kendujhar, Daspalla, Khurda Road, Sambalpur, Talcher, Cuttack, Brahmapur, Dhenkanal, Barbil, Palasa, Visakhapatnam, Gondia, and Santragachhi.

315 special trains were operated last year

The move is expected to significantly ease crowd pressure and support local tourism and economy during the upcoming Rath Yatra.

East Coast Railway has also hinted at deploying additional resources to manage operations efficiently, including crowd control at stations, helpline desks, and volunteer assistance for senior citizens and differently-abled passengers.

“This comprehensive rail connectivity will not only cater to the massive surge of pilgrims during the festival but also significantly ease travel for people in remote and interior districts,” the ECoR said in a statement.

This year’s arrangements mark a significant scale-up from Rath Yatra 2024 when 315 special trains were operated, an ECoR official said.

The ECoR has advised passengers to check schedules and availability through official railway portals and stay updated via public announcements closer to the festival dates.