Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday requested Railway Minister Piyush Goyal to introduce Satabdi Express between Bhubaneswar and Rourkela via Jharsuguda.
In the letter, the Chief Minister said that though the popular service was introduced way back in 1998, it covers only a single route in Odisha between Howrah and Bhubaneswar.
“Quality rail connectivity between important cities and the State capital Bhubaneswar is an important requirement for furthering inclusive development and growth in Odisha. As Jharsuguda is a major industrial hub in western Odisha and Steel City of Rourkela is the second smart city of the State, their connectivity with Bhubaneswar through a premium service like Shatabdi would serve the genuine transportation demand of people of these two significantly important cities of my State,” he wrote.
The demand of people can be gauged from the fact that the only Inter-City Express on Bhubaneswar,-Jharsuguda-Rourkela route is running at 120% of its capacity, he further said
“As there are no direct express trains to Rourkela-Jharsuguda in the morning hours from Bhubaneswar, the proposed Shatabdi Express will be well patronized, thereby making the service financially viable as well,” he added.
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