Question : Introduction of Express Trains

(a) whether the Railways proposes to run Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express via Sambalpur and Rourkela, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(b) whether the Railways proposes to introduce Jan Satabdi Express between Howrah and Nayagarh and an Inter City Express from Nayagarh to Vishakhapatnam, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Railways will consider to introduce a new train in the name of Buxi Jagabandhu from Bhubaneswar/Khurda to Mumbai; if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether there is any proposal to increase the frequency of Lokmanya Tilak Express from Bhubaneswar/Puri to Mumbai from the present thrice in a week to daily; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) Yes, Madam. The proposal of diversion of 22811/22812 & 22823/22824 Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express via Sambalpur has been examined and diversion once in a week via Sambalpur City, Ex-Bhubaneswar on Saturday and Ex-Delhi on Sunday has been approved.

(b) & (c) No, Madam. Introduction of Jan Shatabdi Express from Nayagarh Town to Howarh, Intercity Express from Nayagarh Town to Visakhapatnam, introduction of train in the name of Buxi Jagabandhu from Bhubaneswar/Khurda to Mumbai is operationally not feasible, at present due to operational and resources constraints. Further, as a matter of policy, trains are not named after personality, deities or with religious connotation.

(d) & (e) No, Madam. There is no tri-weekly service available between Bhubaneswar/Puri and Mumbai. However, at present, 4 pairs of services from Bhubaneswar to Mumbai and 2 pairs of services from Puri to Mumbai are available, which are considered adequate for the present level of traffic available between the stations.

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