In a major boost for rail passengers in Odisha, Indian Railways has converted the highly patronised Bhanjapur–Puri–Bhanjapur Special trains into regular Express services.
The move comes in response to consistent high demand and aims to provide reliable, round-the-year connectivity between the two cities.
Effective from 21 May 2026, the services will operate as Train No. 18017/18018 Bhanjapur–Puri–Bhanjapur Express.
Service Details:
- 18017 Bhanjapur–Puri Express: Departs Bhanjapur at 11:10 PM, arrives Puri at 5:50 AM the next day.
- 18018 Puri–Bhanjapur Express: Departs Puri at 11:50 PM, arrives Bhanjapur at 6:50 AM the next day.
The overnight trains offer convenient timings for passengers, allowing them to travel comfortably while saving a full working day. The services will stop at key stations including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Baripada, Balasore, Soro, Bhadrak, Jajpur Keonjhar Road, and Khurda Road, significantly strengthening regional connectivity in northern and coastal Odisha.
Since their introduction as special trains, these services have enjoyed strong passenger patronage. The decision to regularise them reflects Indian Railways’ commitment to converting successful specials into permanent trains, ensuring greater schedule reliability, better ticketing availability, and long-term operational stability.
This upgrade is expected to benefit students, pilgrims visiting the holy city of Puri, business travellers, and tourists exploring the scenic routes of Odisha.
