The Indian Railways has authorized the regularization of two special trains that connect Odisha to Jharkhand and Bihar, which is likely to increase regional rail connections and improve passenger comfort.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw conveyed the decision to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi via letter.
The Bhubaneswar-Dhanbad Special (02832/02831) will now be known as the Bhubaneswar-Dhanbad Express (18403/18404), and the Puri-Patna Special (08439/08440) has been renamed the Puri-Patna Express (18405/18406).
Bhubaneswar-Dhanbad Train Will Run Daily
The Bhubaneswar-Dhanbad Express will operate on a daily basis. The train will depart from Bhubaneswar at 8.25 p.m. and arrive in Dhanbad at 11 a.m. the next day. On the return journey, it will depart Dhanbad at 4 p.m. and arrive in Bhubaneswar at 7.45 a.m. the following day.

Within Odisha, the train will make stops in Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Talcher Road, Angul, Rairakhol, Sambalpur City, Jharsuguda, and Rourkela.
Puri-Patna Express Will Operate Weekly.
The Puri-Patna Express will operate once each week. Every Saturday, it departs Puri at 2.55 p.m. and arrives in Patna at 10.45 a.m. the following day.
The train departs Patna at 1.30 p.m. on Sundays and arrives in Puri at 9.45 a.m. the next day.
Within Odisha, the train will make stops at Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jajpur Keonjhar Road, Bhadrak, and Balasore.CM Thank you, PM Modi, Railway Minister.
After receiving consent, Chief Minister Majhi congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Vaishnaw.

In a post on X, CM Mohan Majhi wrote, "I am grateful to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji and Hon'ble Railway Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw Ji for approving the regularisation of the Bhubaneswar-Dhanbad Special as the Bhubaneswar-Dhanbad Express and the Puri-Patna Special as the Puri-Patna Express.

This major decision would improve rail connectivity in Odisha, increasing passenger convenience while also improving transportation, tourism, and regional development throughout the state.