Railway Board Approves New Puri–Koraput Express via Sambalpur

Report by Nishapati Nayak (Sub-Editor) Koraput: The Ministry of Railways has approved a new tri-weekly express train service, 18407/18408 PuriKoraput Express, which will run via Naraj Marthapur, Angul, Sambalpur, Titlagarh, and Rayagada. This service aims to enhance rail connectivity for southern and western Odisha. The East Coast Railway's proposal has been officially cleared as per Railway Board letter No. 2026/CHG/16/ECOR/48 dated 13.05.2026.

Train 18407 will depart Puri at 07:00 hrs and reach Koraput at 23:30 hrs, stopping at key stations including Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, Titlagarh, Kesinga, and Rayagada. The return train 18408 will leave Koraput at 05:00 hrs and arrive at Puri at 22:20 hrs, operating on specified days throughout the week. The train will have 18 ICF coaches and primary maintenance will be conducted at Puri. The service is expected to benefit passengers, traders, and employees in the KoraputRayagada industrial belt by providing direct overnight connectivity to the state capital and Puri.