Bhubaneswar: In preparation for the world-famous Rath Yatra festival in Puri, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has unveiled an unprecedented travel plan to accommodate the massive influx of devotees. A record 365 Special Trains will operate during the Rath Yatra period this year, connecting nearly every corner of Odisha and extending to major parts of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra.
The special trains will ensure seamless transportation to Puri from key locations including Rourkela, Biramitrapur, Bangiriposi, Junagarh Road, Badampahar, Boudh, Jagadalpur (Chhattisgarh), Baleswar, Angul, Gunupur, Rayagada, Paradeep, Bhadrak, Kendujhar, Daspalla, Khurda Road, Sambalpur, Talcher, Cuttack, Brahmapur, Dhenkanal, Barbil, and others. Services will also be extended from Visakhapatnam and Palasa in Andhra Pradesh, Santragachhi in West Bengal, and Gondia in Maharashtra.
To manage the massive footfall, ECoR has established extensive passenger facilities in Puri, including dedicated Pilgrim Waiting Areas and Mela Sheds with a total capacity of 25,000 persons. These areas have been equipped with essential amenities such as:
Covered seating and shaded rest zones
Drinking water kiosks and modular sanitation units
Mobile charging stations
On-site medical services and ambulance support
Ticket counters, mobile ticketing units, and ATVMs
Access to the ECOR Yatra Mobile App for real-time updates
These arrangements are aimed at ensuring a smooth, safe, and spiritually enriching experience for lakhs of devotees arriving for the annual chariot festival of Lord Jagannath.
Special trains will operate in phases to cater to the major events of the festival — Gundicha Yatra, Sandhya Darshan, Bahuda Yatra, and Sunavesa. Passengers are advised to confirm schedules and availability through official Indian Railways websites, mobile apps, and public announcements.
