Demand to extend Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express to Koraput gains momentum
By S.N.Panda
Bhubaneswar, May 12: A fresh demand has emerged seeking the extension of the Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express up to Koraput via the scenic Araku Valley — a move that could significantly improve connectivity for commuters in Odisha’s tribal heartland.
Congress MLA from Jeypore, Tara Prasad Bahinipati, has formally submitted memorandums to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, urging them to consider adding approximately 215 km to the existing 444 km route.
Bahinipati has argued that the proposed extension — taking the total stretch to 669 km — remains well within the Vande Bharat Express’s operational range of 800 km.
The lawmaker highlighted the acute lack of rail connectivity in Koraput district, pointing out that currently, only the Hirakhand Express links Bhubaneswar to the region. Extending the premium train service, he said, would not only ease the heavy rush on the Hirakhand Express but also unlock new opportunities for development in under-served areas like Nandapur, Lamtaput, and the adjoining districts of Nabarangpur and Malkangiri.
Bahinipati estimated that the extended journey from Bhubaneswar to Koraput would take around nine hours, compared to the present five-hour run between Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam.
It’s worth noting that the Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express was flagged off in March 2024. Initially planned as a Puri-Visakhapatnam service, the Railway Board later revised its route to originate from Bhubaneswar, making it Odisha’s third Vande Bharat service.
The train currently operates six days a week, excluding Mondays, halting at key stations including Khurda Road, Balugaon, Berhampur, Ichapuram, Palasa, Srikakulam Road, and Vizianagaram. It departs Bhubaneswar at 5.15 am, reaching Visakhapatnam by 11 am. The return trip commences at 3.30 pm, arriving back in Bhubaneswar by 9.30 pm — covering the 445 km stretch in about six hours.
Meanwhile, beyond Koraput, both the Odisha government and public representatives have also advocated for extending the Vande Bharat service to Hyderabad, citing the thousands of Odia workers based in Andhra Pradesh’s cities. Proponents argue that improved rail connectivity would spur intra-state travel and economic activity.
The eight-coach semi-high-speed train currently comprises one executive chair car and seven chair cars, with its primary maintenance facility located in Bhubaneswar, according to a recent communication from the Railway Board’s coaching director to East Coast Railway.
