Puri Railway Station Upgrades Completed Ahead of Rath Yatra, ECoR Records Strong Freight Growth
April 4: Renovation work at Puri Railway Station is expected to be completed ahead of the upcoming Rath Yatraath festiva, ensuring improved facilities for thousands of pilgrims visiting the temple town.
East Coast Railway (ECoR) General Manager Parameswar Funkwal confirmed that the main station building is complete, with platform upgrades and boundary works underway. These improvements aim to offer a comfortable and efficient experience for visitors during the busy festival season.
Pic Credit: Pexel
Infrastructure development across Odisha is progressing rapidly. The Khurda Road–Bolangir railway line is expected to be operational by December 2026, with all seven tunnels completed and major bridge work in its final stage. Other key projects, including the redevelopment of Bhubaneswar Railway Station, are also advancing steadily.
ECoR continues to excel in freight operations. In the 2025–26 financial year, it handled 544.82 million tonnes of cargo, generating over ₹32,700 crore in revenue, with ₹29,456 crore from freight alone. For the seventh consecutive year, the zone crossed 200 million tonnes of freight loading, achieving a record 286.26 million tonnes this year, while freight unloading also increased to 258.56 million tonnes.
With these upgrades and strong operational performance, East Coast Railway is well-prepared to manage the rising demand for both passenger and freight services efficiently.
