Puri railway station modernisation: Over 30 trains to be affected till May 16

Railway services to and from Puri will be partially disrupted for more than two months as infrastructure upgrade work is undertaken at Puri railway station. The changes will come into effect from March 11 and continue until May 16, affecting passenger movement between Khurda Road and Puri stations.

According to officials of East Coast Railway (ECoR), more than 30 trains that usually originate from or terminate at Puri will be either short-terminated or short-originated during this period to facilitate the ongoing work. The railways have set a target to complete the upgradation before the annual Rath Yatra in Puri, as reported by Times of India.

Trains To Operate From Alternate Stations

Eight trains, including Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–Puri Express, Gandhidham–Puri Express, Kamakhya–Puri Express, Tirupati–Puri Express, Sealdah–Puri Duronto Express, Valsad–Puri Express and Sambalpur–Puri Intercity Express, will originate from and terminate at Sakhigopal station instead of Puri during the work period.

Similarly, services of four trains — Indore–Puri Express, Sri Ganganagar–Puri Express, Kamakhya–Puri Express and Jaleswar–Puri MEMU — will start and end at Bir Purushottampur station.

Another four trains, including Rourkela–Puri Express and Talcher–Puri MEMU, will originate from and terminate at Khurda Road station.

In addition, the Howrah–Puri Express and the Puri–Howrah Express will be short-terminated at Malatipatpur station.

Temporary Measures For Passengers

Railway authorities indicated that the temporary arrangements are necessary to speed up the infrastructure upgrade work at Puri station. The project is being prioritised so that it can be completed ahead of the Rath Yatra.

To minimise inconvenience to passengers, officials said bus services will be arranged between Puri and the stations where trains will temporarily originate or terminate.