The Odisha government has flagged off a new Volvo bus service connecting the sacred Jagannath Dham in Puri with the heritage and tourism destination Harishankar in Balangir district.
The service, operated by OSRTC, fulfils a long‑standing demand for direct connectivity between the two regions. On Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, also MLA of Patnagarh, travelled alongside passengers from Bhubaneswar station to Patnagarh, marking the inaugural run.
Upon arrival in Patnagarh, Singh Deo was warmly received by residents, with the Sub‑Collector Sunil Meher and SDPO Sadanand Pujahari leading the welcome. Addressing the gathering, the Deputy CM said the new service would benefit pilgrims and tourists alike, enabling people from Khaprakhol, Patnagarh, and surrounding areas to travel conveniently to Puri for darshan of Lord Jagannath.
The Volvo service is also expected to ease travel for residents of Balangir, Sonepur, and Boudh districts, strengthening spiritual and cultural ties while boosting tourism.
