New Rajdhani Express Train from Bhubaneswar to Delhi

New Rajdhani train from Bhubaneswar to Delhi

New Rajdhani Express Train from Bhubaneswar to Delhi

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAJYA SABHA

QUESTION NO 2537

ANSWERED ON 16.03.2018

New Rajdhani train from Bhubaneswar to Delhi

2537 Shri A.U. Singh Deo
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state :-
(a) whether Government has considered the demand of the State of Odisha to introduce a new Rajdhani train service from Bhubaneswar to Delhi via Sambalpur to cope up with the passenger growth;

(b) if so, the details of the project along with the timeline for its completion, if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether Government is planning to divert an existing Rajdhani and run the same via Sambalpur; and

(d) if so, the reasons therefor along with its impact on the frequency of the existing route?
ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (d): Yes, Sir. The request regarding introduction of a direct Rajdhani train from Bhubaneswar to Delhi via Sambalpur has been examined but not found feasible due to operational constraints. As an alternative, it has been decided to divert the services of 22811/22812 Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express (earlier operating as tri-weekly service) once a week via Sambalpur City, Jharsuguda. This train is now running with a new number 20817/20818 Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express (via Sambalpur) w.e.f 10.02.2018. However, despite the said diversion, the number of services operating between Bhubaneswar and New Delhi remains unchanged.