Puri-Lalgarh Express Extended to Sri Ganganagar | Boost to Tourism & Connectivity
(OT Webdesk)In a landmark move to enhance inter-state rail connectivity, the Puri-Lalgarh Weekly Express has been officially extended to Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan.
The inaugural run was flagged off by BJP MP Sambit Patra at Puri Railway Station, who hailed the extension as a historic step toward national integration.
“This initiative connects the Bay of Bengal with the Thar Desert, symbolising the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’,” Patra said, expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The extension is expected to boost religious tourism, particularly for pilgrims visiting the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
Patra also highlighted the dramatic rise in Odisha’s railway budget—from Rs 892 crore under the UPA government to Rs 10,000 crore under the current administration.
BJD MP Subhashish Khuntia praised the move, citing its alignment with the broader vision of nationwide connectivity from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
Train timings between Puri and Lalgarh remain unchanged, with the extended route now incorporated into the schedule.
This new link offers direct access between eastern and northwestern India, benefiting pilgrims, tourists, and regional commuters alike.
