Odisha is poised to introduce its second Vande Bharat Express train, which will ply between Puri and Rourkela, in the latter part of September. This new rail route aims to alleviate the transportation demands between the coastal and western regions of Odisha. There have been reports suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may officiate the launch of this semi-high-speed train service on September 30.

On August 14, while inaugurating the Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express equipped with Tejas coaches, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the imminent commencement of the second Vande Bharat train service connecting Rourkela and Bhubaneswar. He referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment during the inaugural ceremony of the first Vande Bharat Express between Puri and Howrah on May 18, promising another semi-high-speed train for Odisha. In keeping with this promise, the second Vande Bharat Express will soon operate between Rourkela and Bhubaneswar.

The train is scheduled to run six days a week, with the exception of Saturdays. Stops along the route are expected at Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Angul, Kerejanga, Sambalpur city, and Jharsuguda. Sources have indicated that the semi-high-speed train will cover a distance of 505 kilometers in 7 hours and 30 minutes when traveling from Puri to Rourkela, and 7 hours and 45 minutes on the return journey from Rourkela to Puri.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had previously mentioned that the Puri-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express would pass through Sundergarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Angul, Talcher, and other significant locations.

Regarding the schedule of the Puri-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express, it is anticipated that the train will depart from Puri at 5 am, arriving in Rourkela at approximately 12:45 pm. Conversely, the train will leave Rourkela at 2:10 pm, reaching Puri at 9:40 pm.

Central Railway to Boost Speed of CSMT-Shirdi Vande Bharat Train to 130 kmph

Rajasthan Gets Its 4th Vande Bharat Express: Connecting Jaipur to Chandigarh