New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday flagged off Odisha’s 1st Vande Bharat Express train from Puri (Odisha) & Howrah (Bengal). With the virtual inauguration of Vande Bharat, Odisha joins the list of states where modern-age Vande Bharat trains have been made operational.
The Puri-Howrah Express (22895/22896) train will cover a distance of over 500 kms across two states and will take around 6.5 hours in completing its journey.
Speaking at the launch, PM Modi said, “Vande Bharat is a symbol of developed & aspirational India. Today, there are 15 Vande Bharat Trains running in the country, these are boosting both connectivity as well as the economy of the nation.”
PM Modi said that Vande Bharat trains will strengthen religious, cultural and spiritual connection between Howrah and Puri.
PM Modi is also set to lay the foundation stone for several railway projects worth more than Rs 8,000 crores, which include the redevelopment & remodeling of Puri & Cuttack railway stations.
Vande Bharat to boost tourism/economic prospects
#WATCH | PM Modi flags off Odisha’s first Vande Bharat train between Puri and Howrah pic.twitter.com/jDGO8DUFLW
— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2023
The high-speed train will significantly enhance connectivity between the regions and will redefine the way people travel in trains. According to PMO, the project will not only give impetus to tourism in the region but will also accelerate economic upliftment.
Vande Bharat will run on all days except Thursday. It will pass through 16 railway stations and will have stoppages at Kharagpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur-Keonjhar Road, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Khurda Road.
Train Timings
The regular journey of Puri-Howrah Vande Bharat will commence on May 20. The train will ply on tracks for sixth day of the week, except Thursday.
The Express train having 16 coaches will leave Howrah at 6:10 am and arrive in Puri at 12:35 pm. The express will depart from Puri at 1.50 pm and reach Howrah at 8:30 pm.
The train covering a distance of more than 500 kms will have major stops at Kharagpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur Keonjhar Road, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Khurda Road. The train will have 16 coaches, comprising of AC chair & Executive Chair car seats.
Train fare
Both the AC chair car & Executive Chair car seats are available in the Vande Bharat. The AC Chair car seats have been priced at Rs 1,430 including Rs 328 for catering while the pricing for Executive chair Car is almost double at Rs 2,615 including Rs 389 catering charge.
You can choose to avail or avoid food service. If you opt for ‘No Food option’, no catering charge will be added in their list.
