A fresh demand has been raised to extend the Bhubaneswar–Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express to Koraput via the scenic Araku Valley, with advocates arguing that the move would significantly benefit commuters and spur development in tribal regions.
Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati from Jeypore has submitted memorandums to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, proposing an additional 215 km be added to the train’s current 444 km route.
According to reports, the proposed total stretch of 669 km remains well within the Vande Bharat Express’s operational limit of 800 km, making the extension technically feasible.
Bahinipati underscored that Koraput and surrounding tribal-dominated regions like Nandapur, Lamtaput, Nabarangpur, and Malkangiri suffer from limited rail connectivity. Currently, the Hirakhand Express is the only direct link between Bhubaneswar and Koraput.
The MLA argued that the extended route would:
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Ease congestion on existing trains
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Enhance mobility in remote and backward blocks
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Promote regional development and economic upliftment
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Serve thousands of tribal residents and tourists traveling via Araku
He also noted that the extended journey from Bhubaneswar to Koraput would take approximately nine hours, compared to the current five-hour trip to Visakhapatnam.
Launched in March 2024, Odisha’s third Vande Bharat Express originally proposed to run between Puri and Visakhapatnam, but the Railway Board rerouted it to Bhubaneswar–Visakhapatnam.
The train now runs six days a week, excluding Mondays, with halts at:
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Khurda Road
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Balugaon
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Berhampur
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Ichapuram
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Palasa
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Srikakulam Road
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Vizianagaram
It departs Bhubaneswar at 5:15 AM, reaching Visakhapatnam by 11:00 AM, and returns at 3:30 PM, arriving back in Bhubaneswar by 9:30 PM.
