NARENDRA RAUT, OP
Koraput: Residents of Koraput district have long demanded a direct daytime train service to Bhubaneswar, citing difficulties faced by students, government employees, and patients who frequently travel to the state capital.
Most trains on the route currently run late at night or during odd hours, causing inconvenience and safety concerns, particularly for women and elderly passengers. Responding to the long-standing demand, Koraput MLA Raghuram Machha addressed the matter Tuesday afternoon at his residence in Koraput. Around 4pm, he informed that he had personally met Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and formally submitted the request on behalf of residents. “The residents of Koraput have been consistently demanding a daytime train.
As their representative, I placed this matter before the Railway Ministry, and the minister has assured me that a daytime service between Koraput and Bhubaneswar will be introduced soon,” Machha said. The announcement has sparked optimism among locals, many of whom believe that such a service will not only ease travel but also promote trade, education, and tourism in the tribal-dominated district.
Social activists, business owners, and frequent commuters have welcomed the assurance, calling it a “much-needed step” toward improving connectivity between the remote district and the state capital. Although the exact schedule and launch date are yet to be fi nalized, residents remain hopeful that the long-awaited service will soon become a reality, signifi cantly strengthening Koraput’s link with the rest of Odisha.
