Rail passengers in Odisha are being asked to rework their travel plans as East Coast Railway rolls out critical safety modernisation and bridge rebuilding work across two vital sections in the Sambalpur region this month.
While the upgrades promise safer and more reliable journeys in the long run, short-term disruptions will leave thousands of travellers scrambling for alternatives.
The first major announcement concerns the Sambalpur–Maneswar Section, where intensive safety-related modernisation and maintenance work will take place throughout May 2026. As a direct result, the popular Train No. 18126 Puri–Rourkela Express has been cancelled for journeys commencing on May 17, 19, 20, and 31, 2026. Its counterpart, Train No. 18125 Rourkela–Puri Express, will also remain off the tracks on the same dates.
These intercity services connect the holy city of Puri with the steel hub of Rourkela and are lifelines for daily commuters, pilgrims, and business travellers alike.
In a separate but equally important development, de-launching and rebuilding work on Bridge No. 80 in the Hirakud–Godbhaga Section along the Sambalpur–Balangir route will bring services to a temporary halt on May 16, 2026.
The affected trains include:
- Train No. 58303/58304 Sambalpur–Junagarh Road–Sambalpur Passenger
- Train No. 58213/58214 Bilaspur–Titlagarh–Bilaspur Passenger
- Train No. 58217/58218 Titlagarh–Raipur–Titlagarh Passenger
Railway officials have emphasised that these cancellations are essential for passenger safety and long-term infrastructure reliability. “Modernisation works, though inconvenient in the short term, are vital to prevent accidents and ensure smooth operations,” an East Coast Railway spokesperson noted in the official release.
Passengers planning travel during these windows are strongly advised to check the latest running status on the NTES app or through official railway enquiry services before heading to the station. Alternative routes, rescheduling, or switching to other modes of transport may be necessary, especially for those with tight itineraries or onward connections.
These back-to-back announcements come as East Coast Railway continues its aggressive push to upgrade ageing infrastructure across Odisha’s busy rail corridors.
While the temporary pain is real for regular travellers, the upgrades are expected to deliver faster, safer, and more punctual services once completed.
