By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, September 15, 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off these Odisha-passing Vande Bharat Express trains on Sunday through videoconferencing from Ranchi. One more Odisha-passing Vande Bharat train will be flagged off by Modi on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, Modi asserted that the expansion of rail connectivity in Eastern India will strengthen the economy of the region and hugely benefit businesses, professionals, and students.

Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi was present at Berhampur railway station during the flagging-off ceremony. “Besides these two Vande Bharat Express trains, the Prime Minister will flag off another Vande Bharat train on Monday. These three will play as a lifeline for the southern and western parts of Odisha. With these, six Vande Bharat trains will run through the state and connect major cities of Odisha with the neighbouring states,” he added.

He said these trains will also play a major role in promoting economic and business activities in the state. “The Berhampur-Tatanagar Vande Bharat will connect Berhampur, famous for its silk saree, to the industrial hub in Jharkhand and help in the development of business activities in Berhampur,” he added.

Majhi said the Centre has already sanctioned railway projects worth Rs 70,000 crore out of its plan to provide Rs 1 lakh crore for the development of rail infrastructure in Odisha. “Besides the Vande Bharat Express trains, the Centre has undertaken several other major projects to strengthen the railway network and its infrastructure in the state,” he added.

Majhi, along with Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena and MSME Minister Gokulananda Mallik, boarded the newly inaugurated Vande Bharat train at Jagannathpur station near Berhampur and travelled to Bhubaneswar in the train. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida was present at Khurda Road station, while Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo attended the flagging-off ceremony at Bhubaneswar.

Odisha Governor Raghubar Das and Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram were present at Rourkela station for the flagging off of the Rourkela-Howrah Vande Bharat Express at 11 am on Sunday. Ministers, local MLAs, and government officials were also present at different stations passed by these two trains.

The Rourkela-Howrah Vande Bharat Exp with eight coaches will start its regular run from September 18. It will run six days a week except Tuesday. It will depart from Howrah at 6 am and reach Rourkela at 11.50 am. It will halt at Kharagpur, Tatanagar, and Chakradharpur between Howrah and Rourkela. It will leave Rourkela at 1.40 pm and arrive at Howrah at 7.40 pm.

Similarly, the Berhampur-Tatanagar train via Bhubaneswar and Kendujhargarh will start from Tatanagar at 5.20 am and reach Berhampur at 2.30 pm. The return train will leave Berhampur at 3 pm and arrive at Tatanagar at 11.55 pm on the same day.