Railway Modernisation Work Near Puri to Affect Several Train Services; Cancellations, Diversions and Delays Announced

Bhubaneswar: Rail passengers travelling to and from Puri over the next few days are likely to face disruptions as the East Coast Railway has announced temporary changes to train operations due to ongoing infrastructure modernisation work in the Khurda Road–Puri section.

The safety-related upgrades between Malatipatpur and Puri stations are aimed at improving operational efficiency, strengthening rail infrastructure and enhancing passenger safety. As part of the work, several trains will be cancelled, short-terminated, short-originated and rescheduled on June 25 and 26.

A number of MEMU passenger services operating between Puri, Khurda Road, Cuttack and Talcher will remain cancelled on June 26. Long-distance trains, including the Puri–Howrah Shatabdi Express, Barbil–Puri Express and Paradeep–Puri Intercity Express, have also been cancelled for the day.

Railway authorities have further announced that some trains will not reach Puri during the maintenance period. The Sealdah–Puri Duronto Express will terminate at Malatipatpur on June 25, while its return service will commence from the same station on June 26. Similarly, the Rourkela–Puri Express and several passenger trains from Angul, Jaleswar and Daspalla will either terminate at or originate from Khurda Road instead of Puri.

In addition to cancellations and route curtailments, several trains will operate behind schedule. Services such as the Shalimar–Puri Express, Anand Vihar Terminal–Puri Express and Patna–Puri Express are expected to experience delays ranging from over two hours to five hours. The Puri–Rourkela Vande Bharat Express scheduled for June 26 has also been rescheduled and will depart later than its original timing.

Railway officials have advised passengers to verify train schedules before travelling and make necessary adjustments to their plans. Travellers can obtain the latest updates through railway enquiry services and the National Train Enquiry System (NTES).

The temporary restrictions are part of a broader effort to upgrade rail infrastructure in the Puri section ahead of increased passenger movement and future operational requirements.