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Puri-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express Set to Transform Odisha's Rail Travel
The charm of train travel in Odisha is about to get an upgrade with the eagerly anticipated launch of the Puri-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express, connecting the sacred city of Puri to the bustling industrial hub of Rourkela. This new semi-high-speed train, capable of reaching a maximum speed of 160 kmph, is slated to revolutionize the journey between these two cities, slashing travel time from a tedious 16 hours to a mere 7 hours and 45 minutes.
PC: PTI
The Countdown to Launch
In a significant development, sources within the Indian Railways have hinted that the train should be operational by September 30, marking a remarkable advancement in Odisha's rail connectivity.
Test Run on the Horizon
Before the grand launch, a critical phase beckons: the trial run of this eight-coach marvel. Scheduled for the second week of September, this test journey will traverse the route between Puri and Rourkela. Interestingly, the train embarked on its voyage from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai and has now arrived at the Sakhigopal Railway Station in Puri.
Navigating the Route
During the trial run, here's a glimpse of the train's route:
- Departure from Puri Railway Station at 5 am.
- Arrival at Khurda Road Railway Station at 5.42 am.
- Stopover at Bhubaneswar Railway Station at 6.04 am.
- Brief halt at Cuttack Railway Station at 6.34 am.
- Passing through Dhenkanal at 7.24 am.
- Arrival in Angul at 8.14 am.
- Pulling into Sambalpur City at 10.18 am.
- Reaching Jharsuguda at 11.23 am.
- Finally, arriving at Rourkela at 12.45 pm.
For the return journey, the train will depart from Rourkela at 2.10 pm and cover the same stops, concluding its journey at Puri at 9.40 pm.
The Puri-Rourkela Connection
The Puri-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express will operate six days a week, excluding Saturdays, facilitating seamless travel over a 505 km stretch. During the trial run, it is expected to maintain an average speed ranging from 63.33 kmph to 65.16 kmph.
Building on Success
This new addition is the second Vande Bharat Express in Odisha, following the launch of the Puri-Howrah Vande Bharat Express earlier this year, on May 25. These innovative trains, designed and manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), boast modern amenities, including automatic doors, bio-vacuum toilets, GPS-based passenger information systems, CCTV cameras, fire alarm systems, sliding footsteps, and modular luggage racks.
Odisha's Aspirations for Connectivity
It's not just Puri and Rourkela that stand to benefit from this development. The Odisha government has long advocated for Vande Bharat Express trains on routes like Bhubaneswar-Hyderabad, Puri-Raipur, and Bhubaneswar-Secunderabad.
A Glimpse into the Future
Looking ahead, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has unveiled plans for Vande Metro trains, currently in production. These trains will traverse the route from Cuttack to Puri via Bhubaneswar, offering a convenient and efficient means of transportation for shorter distances, up to 100 km. These Vande Metro trains are expected to be operational by early next year.
Booking Your Journey
For those eager to hop aboard the Vande Bharat Express, ticket reservations are a breeze. You can book your tickets through the IRCTC website or the Rail Connect app. Here's a step-by-step guide to booking through the IRCTC website:
1. Visit the IRCTC e-ticketing website at irctc.co.in and log in to your existing account.
2. Enter your departure and destination details in the 'From' and 'To' sections under 'Book your ticket.'
3. Select your travel date.
4. Locate the Vande Bharat Express from the list of available trains. Alternatively, enter the train number (22435, 22436, 22439, or 22440) in the 'Train Name/Number' field.
5. Choose your preferred class, either AC Chair car or Executive.
6. Fill in the passenger details and review them.
7. Complete your payment using your preferred payment method.
Once your booking is confirmed, you'll receive a confirmation message and an e-ticket on your registered email and mobile number.
With these exciting developments on the horizon, train travel in Odisha is poised to offer passengers a faster, more efficient, and modern experience, promising a brighter future for rail connectivity in the region.
Please note: The information provided is based on the available data at the time of writing and is subject to change as per official announcements and updates from the Indian Railways.
