Puri: In a significant boost to rail connectivity, the Puri-Lalgarh-Puri Weekly Express was extended up to Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan on Wednesday.
BJP MP Sambit Patra flagged off the inaugural run of the extended train service from Puri Railway Station.
Speaking on the occasion, the Puri MP expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for introducing the new train link between Puri and Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan.
“It is a historic step that directly connects Puri in Odisha with Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan. Earlier, the train ran only up to Lalgarh and now it has been extended to Sri Ganganagar,” said Patra.
Connecting these two regions is a truly significant initiative which will boost tourism, especially religious tourism, enabling more devotees to visit Lord Jagannath, he added.
Highlighting the transformation of Odisha’s railway sector, Patra said the BJP-led NDA government has earmarked around Rs 10,000 crore for railway sector in 2024-25 alone.
BJD MP Subhashish Khuntia, who was also present at the ceremony, welcomed the development.
“The Purip-Lalgarh Express has been extended up to Sri Ganganagar, marking another step forward in the progress of the nation, the state, and Puri district. This extension links Puri — one of the country’s major tourist and pilgrimage destinations — with Sri Ganganagar and the desert region, enhancing rail connectivity and boosting tourism and pilgrimage,” he said.
Train timings between Puri and Lalgarh will remain unchanged in both directions, and the extended route is now incorporated into the schedule.
The service will provide direct train access between eastern and northwestern India, especially benefiting pilgrims and tourists. The initiative is set to attract more tourists to the seaside pilgrim town of Puri, officials said.
