Sambalpur, Mar 1: Union Education, Skill Development and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday flagged off the Sambalpur Hatia- Gorakhpur Expres and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi fulfilled the long-standing demand of people by extending the train till Sambalpur. 

A large number of people belonging to North India live in Sambalpur and nearby areas. The aspiration of these people has been met with the extension of the Gorakhpur-Hatia Express till Sambalpur, said Pradhan. 

The train will have stoppages at Rourkela, Jharsuguda and Sambalpur after it leaves Hatia. This train will help people of Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda and Sundargarh to go to Benaras, Gorakhpur and Ayodhya where a grand Ram Temple has been built. 

Pradhan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the extension of the train. Renovation work is going on for Sambalpur and many other stations in Odisha at an expenditure of over Rs 400 crore.  

It may be noted here that Pradhan had earlier requested Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the expansion of the train.