Puri/Brahmapur, July 6: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday flagged off two new train services — the Puri–Koraput Express and the Brahmapur–Udhna (Surat) Amrit Bharat Express — marking a major boost to the state’s rail connectivity.

The Puri–Koraput service was inaugurated at Puri station, while the Brahmapur–Udhna Express began its daily run from Brahmapur, replacing the earlier tri‑weekly schedule.

Calling it a “historic day for Odisha,” Majhi said the new services would strengthen links between coastal and tribal regions, and ease travel for residents of Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Kalahandi, Balangir and Nuapada districts. He noted the deep cultural and economic ties between Odisha and Surat, where lakhs of Odia workers contribute to the textile and diamond industries.

The Chief Minister also highlighted Odisha’s industrial progress, citing 152 projects worth Rs3.11 lakh crore initiated in the past two years, creating jobs for 2.5 lakh youths. He announced plans to expand Gopalpur Port, establish a new port at Bahuda, and develop Brahmapur into a “Greater City” with a six‑lane road to Jaypur.

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Vaishnaw said the daily service fulfilled a long‑standing demand raised in Surat and announced a Rs300‑crore redevelopment of Brahmapur station into a world‑class facility. He added that the Amrit Bharat Express, built with indigenous technology, is designed to provide safe, affordable and faster travel for middle‑class and economically weaker sections.

The launch was witnessed by Union Steel and Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, Fisheries and Animal Resources Minister Gokulananda Mallik, MPs Dr. Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi and Anita Shubhadarshini, East Coast Railway GM Parmeshwar Phunkwal, local MLAs and district officials.