Trains Cancelled As Landslide Blocks Key Odisha–Chhattisgarh–Andhra Rail Link

Bhubaneswar: A landslide between Maligura and Chhatariput railway stations under Rayagada Division of East Coast Railway (ECoR) has disrupted rail traffic across the region, prompting railway authorities to regulate several key express and passenger train services as a precautionary safety measure.

Track restoration work is currently underway on a war footing to clear the route, which serves as a vital transit link connecting Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh.

According to official updates from East Coast Railway, multiple long-distance and passenger services either been cancelled or curtailed for late September. The Rourkela–Jagdalpur Express (18107 )has been cancelled on September 27 and 28, and its return service, the Jagdalpur–Rourkela Express (18108), on September 28 and 29. Additional key services cancelled on September 28 and 29 include Kirandul–Visakhapatnam Express (18516), Visakhapatnam–Kirandul Express (18515), as well as both the up and down operations of the Kirandul–Visakhapatnam Passenger (58502/58501).

To maintain partial connectivity while safety checks continue, several major trains are operating on truncated routes. The Howrah–Jagdalpur Express (18005) departing Howrah on September 26 and 27 will short-terminate at Koraput, leaving the Koraput–Jagdalpur stretch cancelled. Consequently, the Jagdalpur–Howrah Express (18006) on September 28 and 29 will short-originate from Koraput instead of Jagdalpur. Similarly, the Jagdalpur–Bhubaneswar Hirakhand Express (18448) scheduled for September 28 and 29 will commence its journey directly from Koraput, skipping its origin segment from Jagdalpur.

Travellers have been advised to verify real-time train running status through the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) or official railway helplines prior to heading to stations.