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Odisha has firmly placed itself on India’s high-speed rail map with six Vande Bharat Express trains currently operating in and through the state.
Loaded with modern amenities, these semi-high-speed trains have enhanced regional connectivity and have transformed the rail travel experience compared to regular Indian Railways coaches with superior facilities like automatic doors, infotainment systems, bio-vacuum toilets, and cushioned seating.
As the demand for faster, cleaner, and more comfortable rail travel grows, these services are helping link Odisha’s religious, industrial, and administrative hubs with major cities in neighbouring states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh.
Puri–Rourkela Vande Bharat Express
The Puri–Rourkela Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 20836) connects the religious city of Puri to the industrial heartland of Rourkela.
Covering 504 kilometres in around 7 hours and 45 minutes, the train stops at several key stations including Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Talcher Road, Angul, Sambalpur City, and Jharsuguda.
Running six days a week (excluding Sundays), the train has become a reliable option for passengers travelling between Odisha’s coast and its mining and manufacturing belt.
Departure (from Puri): 5 am
Arrival (at Rourkela): 12:45 pm
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Puri–Howrah Vande Bharat Express: Now with 20 Coaches
The Puri–Howrah Vande Bharat Express (22896) has emerged as one of the most in-demand services for tourists and daily commuters alike.
Traversing 502 kilometres in just 6 hours and 40 minutes, it connects Odisha’s capital region with Kolkata, stopping at Bhadrak, Balasore, and Kharagpur en route.
Departure (from Puri): 1:50 pm
Arrival (at Howrah): 8:30 pm
In a major upgrade effective May 16, 2025, Indian Railways expanded the train to 20 coaches, comprising 16 AC Chair Cars, 2 Executive Class coaches, and 2 additional crew-cum-chair car coaches.
This move was taken to accommodate rising passenger demand and reduce long waitlists, particularly during the summer tourist rush and festive seasons. The train operates six days a week, except Thursdays.
Brahmapur–Tatanagar Vande Bharat Express: A South-North Corridor
Serving Odisha’s southern coast and the mineral-rich north, the Brahmapur–Tatanagar Vande Bharat Express (20892) has filled a long-standing connectivity gap.
The train travels 590 kilometres in 9 hours and 25 minutes, linking Brahmapur with Tatanagar in Jharkhand. Key halts include Balugaon, Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Kendujhargarh, and Chaibasa.
Departure (from Brahmapur): 5:15 am
Arrival (at Tatanagar): 2:40 pm
Operational six days a week (except Thursdays), it plays a crucial role in supporting both passenger traffic and economic exchanges between Odisha and Jharkhand.
Rourkela–Howrah Vande Bharat Express: Steel City to Metropolis
The Rourkela–Howrah Vande Bharat Express (20872) is another fast and efficient service linking western Odisha to Kolkata.
This train covers 413 kilometres in about 6 hours and 15 minutes, with important stops at Chakradharpur, Tatanagar, and Kharagpur.
Departure (from Rourkela): 1:35 pm
Arrival (at Howrah): 7:50 pm
Running six days a week (excluding Sundays), it has become a favoured mode of transport for students, professionals, and traders operating between these two cities.
Bhubaneswar–Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express: Coastal Fast Lane
Linking Odisha’s capital to Andhra Pradesh’s major port city, the Bhubaneswar–Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express (20841) has significantly cut travel time and boosted tourism.
The 443-kilometre journey is completed in just 6 hours, with the train halting at Balugaon, Brahmapur, Palasa, Srikakulam Road, and Vizianagaram.
Departure (from Bhubaneswar): 5:15 am
Arrival (at Visakhapatnam): 11 am
It operates six days a week, except Sundays, and is one of the fastest-growing routes in terms of passenger footfall in the region.
ALSO READ: Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express train extension demanded
Raipur–Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express: Through Western Odisha
Though it originates from Raipur in Chhattisgarh and terminates at Visakhapatnam, this Vande Bharat Express (20829) passes through key districts of western Odisha, including Titlagarh and Rayagada.
The 527-kilometre journey takes approximately 7 hours and 32 minutes. The service, operational six days a week (excluding Sundays), has opened up vital east-west connectivity across three states.
Departure (from Durg): 5:45 am
Arrival (at Visakhapatnam): 1:50 pm
It is particularly beneficial for remote areas in interior Odisha, which previously lacked swift and comfortable long-distance travel options.
A Modern Era of Rail Travel in Odisha
Together, these six Vande Bharat trains are redefining rail travel across Odisha. They not only reduce travel time significantly but also provide a world-class passenger experience.
The growing popularity of services like the Puri–Howrah Express and its recent upgrade highlights the state's increasing reliance on modern rail infrastructure to meet travel demand.
With more routes likely to be announced in the future, Odisha is well on its way to becoming a central node in India’s expanding semi-high-speed rail network.
