East Coast Railway to Run Record 365 Special Trains for Rath Yatra 2025

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.