Bhubaneswar: In another step towards enhancing rail services in southern and western districts of Odisha, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has approved extension of Sambalpur-Banaras Express upto Visakhapatnam through Titlagarh and Rayagada.
The people of Rayagada, Balangir, Bargarh and other places in southern and western region of the state had raised the demand for train connectivity to Banaras during Vaishnaw’s visit to the regions including his Jan-Ashirvaad Yatra. The minister had assured the people of fulfilling their demand.
The extension of the Express train from Sambalpur to Visakhapatnam is expected to serve multiple purposes. It would meet the demand for easier access to quality healthcare services as people from these areas often travel to renowned hospitals in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
Besides, with Visakhapatnam evolving into a thriving educational hub, students from this region can now conveniently access educational institutions in the city. This move holds promise for fostering new business and trade partnerships, thereby contributing to economic growth.
The extended train service between Sambalpur and Visakhapatnam will facilitate easier travel to crucial junctions like Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Hatia, Ranchi, Rourkela, Jharsuguda, and Sambalpur.