Puri/Howrah, May 18 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a series of railway projects worth Rs. 8,200 crore in Odisha on Thursday, including the inaugural run of the state’s first Vande Bharat Express connecting Puri to West Bengal’s Howrah.
Speaking via video-conferencing, Modi highlighted the progress of new India in developing its own technologies and expanding connectivity throughout the country. The introduction of the Vande Bharat Express, he noted, would further strengthen the religious, cultural, and spiritual bond between Howrah and Puri.
Modi commended Odisha for its commitment to development despite facing challenges, emphasizing the collective participation of all states in India’s developmental journey.
The Puri-Howrah Vande Bharat Express, expected to be the fastest train on the route, will cover the 500 km distance in approximately 6.5 hours, according to railway officials. As part of the event, Modi also laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Puri and Cuttack railway stations.
Furthermore, the prime minister dedicated the 100 percent electrification of Odisha’s railway network to the nation, which is set to reduce operating and maintenance costs while decreasing reliance on imported crude oil.
Other projects inaugurated by Modi include the doubling of the Sambalpur-Titlagarh rail line, a new broad-gauge rail line between Angul and Sukinda, the third line connecting Manoharpur-Rourkela-Jharsuguda-Jamga, and a new broad-gauge line between Bichhupali and Jhartarbha. These initiatives aim to accommodate the increased traffic demands resulting from rapid industrial development in Odisha’s steel, power, and mining sectors, as well as alleviate passenger congestion in these sections.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan were present at the program held in Puri station. A cultural program was also organized at Howrah station to commemorate the launch of the Vande Bharat Express, which will be the second such train in West Bengal.
The regular run of the Howrah-Puri-Howrah Vande Bharat Express, numbered 22895/22896, is scheduled to begin on May 20. Operating six days a week (excluding Thursdays), the train will depart from Howrah at 6:10 am and arrive in Puri at 12:35 pm. On the return journey, it will leave Puri at 1:50 pm and reach Howrah at 8:30 pm. The train, comprising 16 coaches, will make stops at Kharagpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur Keonjhar Road, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, and Khurda Road.
