Special train flagged off between Daspalla and Puri on Diwali

In a significant boost to regional connectivity, a special train service was flagged off on Monday between Daspalla and Puri. The special train departed from Daspalla at 11.30 AM, marking a major milestone for commuters in the region.

Also Read: Rs 501 crore third line between Odisha’s Khurda Road-Gangadharpur moves ahead; railways floats tender

According to railway officials, the return journey from Puri to Daspalla is scheduled for 4.00 PM the same day. The launch has been welcomed by locals, as it offers a much-needed direct rail link between the interior region of Daspalla and the coastal town of Puri.

This new service is expected to improve passenger convenience, reduce travel time, and promote tourism and trade along the route. Further details on the train’s schedule, frequency, and stops are likely to be announced by East Coast Railway (ECoR) soon.

Similarly, today the train No.-68444 Daspalla–Bhadrak MEMU, instead of its scheduled departure time of 4.15 PM from Daspalla, will depart at 8.30 PM.

Worth mentioning, the Indian Railways has recently invited bids for the construction of a third line between Khurda Road and Gangadharpur, covering a distance of around 58 kilometres, at an estimated cost of Rs 501 crore.

The work falls under ECoR jurisdiction and forms a crucial part of the larger Khurda Road–Vizianagaram (363 Km) third line project on Howrah–Chennai mainline, which is among the busiest corridors in the country, handling heavy passenger and freight movement.

According to The Times of India, the selected agency will undertake comprehensive civil and electrical works, including roadbed formation, construction of minor and major bridges, road underbridges, and related building infrastructure.