Bhubaneswar: Indian Railways has announced the launch of two new weekly express train services connecting eastern and southern India via Odisha, strengthening passenger links across key states.
The first train, Santragachi-Yelahanka-Santragachi AC Express (Train Nos. 18063/18064), will begin on April 2, 2026. Train No. 18063 will depart Santragachi every Thursday at 12.50 pm, reaching Yelahanka in Karnataka at 12.20 am on Saturday. The return train, No. 18064, will leave Yelahanka every Saturday at 4.50 am from April 4, arriving in Santragachi on Sunday at 5.00 pm.
The second train, Shalimar-MGR Chennai-Shalimar Weekly Express (Train Nos. 18041/18042), will start on April 6, 2026. It will depart Shalimar every Monday at 2.45 pm, reaching Chennai the next day at 4.45 pm. The return train will leave Chennai every Tuesday at 6.45 pm from April 7, arriving in Shalimar on Thursday at 4.00 am.
Both trains will pass through major East Coast Railway stations including Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Khurda Road, Brahmapur, Bhadrak, Vizianagaram, and Duvvada, ensuring improved connectivity for Odisha passengers.
The new services are expected to ease travel, boost regional integration, and enhance links between West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.