Odisha Now Runs Six Vande Bharat Express Trains Boosting Eastern Rail Links
Odisha has become a significant node in India’s eastern high-speed rail network with the operation of six Vande Bharat Express trains, linking key cities across the state and its neighbours.
The development marks a major boost to regional connectivity, positioning Odisha as a pivotal player in India’s growing railway infrastructure. The high-speed trains now connect major urban and industrial hubs such as Bhubaneswar, Puri, Rourkela, and Berhampur within the state, while also facilitating inter-state travel to Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal. Among the prominent routes is the Puri–Rourkela train covering 504 km between the coastal pilgrimage city and the industrial centre in the west. The Bhubaneswar–Visakhapatnam service links Odisha’s capital to Andhra Pradesh’s coast, supporting both business and leisure movement. The Brahmapur–Tatanagar route connects southern Odisha to Jharkhand, while the Rourkela–Howrah line improves access to West Bengal’s busiest metropolis. Additional routes such as Raipur–Visakhapatnam and Berhampur–Tatanagar strengthen Odisha’s role in cross-border connectivity.
Equipped with modern features like onboard Wi-Fi, GPS-based passenger information systems, automatic doors, CCTV, bio-vacuum toilets, and enhanced safety protocols, the Vande Bharat Express fleet has significantly upgraded passenger experience in the region. Travel durations between major cities have been cut down drastically, offering both speed and convenience. Officials say the improved network is expected to spur regional tourism, enable faster business commutes, and support economic mobility. Reduced travel time between cities like Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Rourkela has made train travel more appealing to daily and occasional passengers alike. As demand for faster, safer, and more comfortable travel grows, Odisha’s expanding rail capabilities underline its ambition to emerge as a transport and economic hub in eastern India.
The launch of six Vande Bharat trains signals the state’s readiness to support next-generation mobility and infrastructure development.
